What is the Brain Economy?
It is the core of a global movement that has been gaining momentum over the past several years, spearheaded by the McKinsey Health Institute, the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Davos Alzheimer’s Collective and the newly established Global Brain Economy Initiative.
Signature initiatives include the Brain House at Davos initiated in 2025 and the Brain Economy Action Forum at the WEF. It is gaining ground through the emergence of initiatives such as Project Metis at the Center for Houston’s Future, which aims to position the Houston region as a global leader in brain health and the brain economy by connecting industry leaders, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to drive long-term innovation and economic growth.
Why is it important?
People’s health and wellbeing are vital for a strong economy. The brain economy connects health and economic policies and programs across various sectors to support people and help them flourish throughout their lives.
Rapid technological change (especially artificial intelligence), an aging population, political and economic challenges, the rise of misinformation and increased number of brain-related health conditions like dementia and problematic substance use are all at play in Canada today. The brain economy helps sectors work together, recognizing that health drives prosperity—not just healthcare expenses.
A strong country needs strong health for its people, including substance use health and mental health. Cooperating with partners around the globe and across Canada strengthens communities, businesses, governments and communities both here and abroad.
How are we involved?
CCSA is a Pathfinder member of the WEF Brain Economy Action Forum for the substance use and addiction sector. In this role, we provide expertise, share efforts with our network of partners and contribute to international leadership of the brain economy. Domestically, CCSA serves as a backbone organization for collective action to build the Canadian brain economy ecosystem.
Who else is involved?
Here’s a small selection of organizations around the world involved in this work:
- Alzheimer’s Society of Montreal
- Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation
- Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative
- Global Brain Economy Initiative
- Grand Challenges Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute
- McKinsey Health Institute
- Ontario Brain Institute
- Rice University
- Steelcase
- The Kennedy Forum
What is next?
We are building the Canadian brain economy ecosystem and engaging organizations across all sectors of society and that work with people of all ages. That involves:
- Building awareness and identifying opportunities to improve brain health and brain skills
- Reaching out to potential partners and collaborators to generate interest and establish new partnerships
- Establishing a Canadian governance framework
- Measuring brain capital within Canada
- Developing a Canadian Brain Economy Plan
- Amplifying global messaging here at home, and Canadian messaging around the world
It also includes our From Response to Resilience: Municipal Response to a Changing Drug Situation in Ottawa project and other initiatives.
Want to learn more or get involved? Contact us at BrainEconomy@ccsa.ca.
Terminology:
Heading
Brain economy:
Promoting “brain capital”—brain health and skills—across the lifespan to encourage human flourishing, community resilience and economic growth for all.
Heading
Brain capital:
Combination of brain health and skills that support the wellbeing, social resilience and economic growth of a country and its people
Heading
Brain health:
The brain’s physical health
Heading
Brain skills:
Cognitive and interpersonal abilities that allow people to adapt, relate and contribute meaningfully to their lives and communities
Heading
Guidance, Tools and Resources
CCSA produces research-based publications, tools, and resources to support evidence-based decision-making on substance use health issues. Select your area of interest from the six categories below:
Heading
Substances
Delve into key resources on commonly used substances, such as alcohol, cannabis, opioids, stimulants and psychedelics. Learn about their effects, usage patterns, associated health and social consequences, and harm reduction considerations
Heading
Personal and Societal Impacts
Get insights on the personal and societal impacts of substance use and addiction , including gambling and impaired driving, and their effects on health, safety, and social well-being. Learn about effective prevention and harm-reduction strategies in various sectors.
Heading
Communities
Communities share common interests, values or goals, and interact with one another to build relationships and help networks. These materials support more inclusive, equitable, and community-informed responses to substance use and addiction. Dive into resources highlighting people with lived and living experience, stigma, sex- and gender-based analysis, Indigenous Peoples, and housing.
Heading
Treatment and Prevention
Explore medical, psychological, and social approaches aimed at helping individuals avoid or recover from substance use disorders. Get the facts on public health topics and learn about collaborative efforts to reduce stigma and promote more equitable, inclusive responses to substance use.
Heading
Youth
Learn about factors influencing substance use in young people, including childhood trauma and brain development, and get tools to support adult allies in leading meaningful, evidence-informed conversations with youth. Content promotes early prevention, harm reduction and supportive environments for youth up to age 25.
Heading
Substance Use and the Workplace
Substance use has a significant impact on the workplace, potentially affecting safety, productivity and employee well-being. Explore research on substance use in various industries. Resources support workplace leaders in building more supportive, stigma-free environments through practical strategies, improved approaches and initiative-taking education.
