Willingness to Undergo Brain Health Testing and Motivation for Lifestyle Changes: Insights From a Survey of the Cuban Population

Brain health is a critical component of overall well-being, with early detection and lifestyle interventions playing key roles in preventing cognitive decline. While much of the research on this topic has focused on high-income countries, less is known about public attitudes in low- and middle-income settings like Cuba. This study explores the willingness to undergo brain health testing and motivation for lifestyle changes related to brain health among Cuban adults.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 1,049 participants aged 18 to 45 years (mean age = 24.4), using an adapted version of the Global Brain Health Survey. Participants were asked about their willingness to take a hypothetical brain health test, their intentions to change lifestyle behaviors (e.g., diet, physical activity, smoking), and factors influencing these decisions.

A majority of participants (73%) expressed willingness to take a brain health test, and 81.9% said they would still take the test even if it revealed an untreatable condition. While willingness to take the test was lower than in other regions, such as Europe (91%), the results highlight a proactive interest in brain health. Most participants (95.6%) were open to changing their lifestyles, particularly in improving their diet (93.4%) and increasing physical activity (95.6%). Financial constraints and limited information were identified as major barriers to lifestyle changes.

The Cuban population shows strong interest in brain health testing and lifestyle changes to reduce cognitive risks. However, barriers such as economic challenges and limited knowledge need to be addressed. Public health campaigns should focus on providing accessible information and addressing financial constraints to promote brain-healthy behaviors. Further research is needed to examine the long-term impact of these attitudes on health outcomes.