Stronger Minds, Stronger Communities: The Allegheny County BOLD Coalition in Action

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are a growing public health challenge in Allegheny County. As the county’s population ages, more individuals and families will experience the effects of ADRD, making it increasingly important to promote brain health, recognize cognitive changes early, and ensure that people living with dementia and their caregivers have access to the support they need.

To address this challenge, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) applied for and was awarded a 5-year Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant in 2023 designed to help strengthen the local ADRD health system. During the initial years of strategic planning, the Allegheny BOLD Coalition (ABC) was formed to identify priorities and guide this work. At its core, ABC brings together local government, community organizations, experts, and healthcare providers around a shared goal: building a more dementia-friendly Allegheny County.

The coalition’s work centers around three key areas: education and training, messaging and outreach, and strengthening community-based organization and healthcare collaboration. In the first year of implementation, these priorities are already being translated into meaningful action.

Education and training are coming to life through Flourishing Communities Plus-10 Initiative. This program pairs local chefs, dieticians and other various guest experts who perform live cooking demonstrations and healthy recipes showing participants how everyday meals can support brain health. Organizers report that several attendees have already begun using the recipes they learned at home.

Messaging and outreach are extending that same knowledge further into the community. Community and Family Builders has connected with over 1,000 Allegheny County residents this year through workshops, community events, and media appearances including a segment on the Soul Pitt podcast addressing dementia’s impact on African Americans and women helping carry brain health information into households it might not otherwise reach.

Community and healthcare collaborations close the loop between awareness and care. In June, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation's Dementia Friends Pennsylvania team partnered with the Best of the Batch Foundation in Homestead to offer free memory screenings, screening 22 community members and encouraging several to follow-up with their primary care providers.

These early successes demonstrate what is possible when public health moves beyond sharing information. Through education, outreach, and stronger connections between community organizations and healthcare providers, ABC helps create pathways from awareness to action and from community to care.

Together, ABC is building a future where every Allegheny County resident has the opportunity to support their brain health and age with dignity, connection, and community.

Learn more and get involved: BOLD@alleghenycounty.us

Connect to resources and ABC partners: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/BOLD