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Detroit Evening Report: National poll shows that aging populations need to learn how to maintain brain health
Most older adults do not know how to care for their brain health, according to a new survey by the National Poll on Healthy Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association. The survey of adults 50 and up found that people rated their brain health as excellent, very good, or good, but lacked knowledge about how to maintain it.
The survey found 70% of Michigan’s older adults believe diet, physical activity, and sleep are important factors. However fewer older adults were engaging in the behaviors that determine better brain health or reduce Alzheimer’s, such as getting seven or more hours of sleep, doing mentally stimulating activities, eating healthy, balanced diets or exercising.
The survey also found that they prefer to get information about brain health from a health care provider. Many also believe brain health is more important than physical health.
The National Poll on Healthy Aging online and phone survey was conducted in January 2026, surveying 1,300 Michigan residents and 2,800 non-Michigan adults between 50 and 98 years old.
Additional headlines for Monday, June 22, 2026
Sun Bucks program
Many children face food insecurity over the summer because they no longer have meals provided by school. The summer EBT “Sun Bucks” program from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services works to make sure that no kids will be hungry.
The department’s Erin Frisch says families with students who participate in school lunch and breakfast programs face extra pressure on their budgets during the summer.
“SUN Bucks, also known as summer EBT helps bridges that gap by providing eligible children with funding to purchase food during the summer months. We have this program because we understand Michigan children need consistent access to healthy food to grow and learn and thrive.”
Children ages 6 to 18 are eligible for the SUN Bucks program. Those who already receive SNAP benefits will automatically be enrolled. Families not already on SNAP can apply for the summer program on the MI Bridges website.
-Reporting by Helena Najar
Black Caucus calls for reparative measures
The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus is calling for the passage of new “reparative justice,” measures. The bills would create a state office to serve American descendants of enslaved people, launch a reparations commission and collect data.
Democratic Representative Jason Hoskins says Black people in Michigan continue to live with the legacy of slavery and segregation, including worse health outcomes and pollution in their communities.
“If we are serious about addressing these challenges, we must first understand the harms that were done, the policies that perpetuated these harms, who’s affected, and what remedies are appropriate,” says Hoskins.
The new commission would recommend reparations, but the package itself would not include any payments for Black Michigan residents. Majority State House Republicans are not likely to pass the bills.
-Reporting by Colin Jackson
Michigan relieves medical debts
The State of Michigan has collaborated with the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt program to erase $74 million of medical debt for 72,000 Michigan residents. People will begin getting letters in the mail this week informing them if their debt has been forgiven. Each dollar paid by Undue Medical Debt equals $100 of debt relief.
Unpaid medical debt is often a result of unexpected illnesses. Half of U.S. adults have a hard time paying off medical debt.
People receiving the relief at four times the poverty line or have medical debt that’s more than 5% of their annual income. This round of debt erasure is supported through a $4.5 million fund from the state’s in partnership with Wayne, Oakland and Kalamazoo Counties.
Last year, the State of Michigan and Undue Medical Debt provided $144 million in debt relief to over 210,000 Michigan residents.
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The post Detroit Evening Report: National poll shows that aging populations need to learn how to maintain brain health appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.
