SEQUINS Hall of Fame: Kristine Yaffe, MD, on Modifiable Dementia Risk Factors and Equity in Brain Health

Ahead of the upcoming annual conference of the Society for Equity in Neuroscience (SEQUINS), NeurologyLive® is highlighting members of this year’s Hall of Fame class, recognizing leaders whose work has advanced equity, access, and innovation across neuroscience and neurologic care.

Among this year’s honorees is Kristine Yaffe, MD, Scola Endowed Chair and Vice Chair of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Epidemiology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and director of the UCSF Center for Population Brain Health. Internationally recognized for her work in dementia epidemiology and cognitive aging, Yaffe has spent decades studying modifiable risk factors for dementia and identifying strategies to improve long-term brain health across diverse populations.

In a recent conversation with NeurologyLive, Yaffe reflected on what the SEQUINS Hall of Fame recognition means to her, the evolving understanding of preventable dementia risk, and the persistent disparities that continue to shape cognitive aging and access to care. She also discussed the importance of public education, preventive strategies, and reducing systemic barriers that influence brain health outcomes.

NeurologyLive: What does it mean to you to be named a SEQUINS Hall of Famer?

Kristine Yaffe, MD: I am quite honored. The push for equity is so important, and even to be a small part of this effort is meaningful.

What drew you to research in aging and cognitive health?

I have always been interested in the brain and behavior. Trying to understand the risk factors for cognitive aging and dementia, with a particular focus on modifiable risk factors, seemed like something that could bring together biology, neurology, and public health and could have a big impact on prevention.

Your work has explored risk factors for cognitive decline. How do these intersect with health disparities?

Well, there are disparities in risk factor prevalence and profile. There are also big disparities in the opportunities for risk reduction efforts. And there are big disparities in dementia incidence.

What progress has been made in addressing inequities in dementia risk and care?

There has been slow but steady progress, especially for care. Risk factor reduction, less so.

What areas of research or clinical care should be prioritized to improve equity in brain aging?

I think a key is quality public education. This has an overarching effect on all health, but especially brain health. I also think we need to reduce systemic barriers to healthy lifestyle interventions. We also need to prioritize access to care.