Speaking at the TIME100 Health Leadership Forum in New York on Thursday, Maria Shriver called for a proactive shift in how women approach brain health, advocating for preventive measures long before cognitive symptoms emerge. A recent survey indicates that only one in five women is aware that they face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease than men, a statistic Shriver aims to change.
“When people talk about living longer, you’re seeing a lot about people in the gym,” Shriver said. “But what about their brains?”
Shriver, who founded the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement and co-founded the Comprehensive Women’s Health and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic, shared that her advocacy was sparked by her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2003. She noted the scarcity of resources available to families at the time and described the differing ways her family coped with the disease. While her children adjusted readily to their grandfather’s changing condition, she struggled to reconcile the man before her with her memories of him, and her mother faced the profound loss of her spouse and confidant.
During a conversation with TIME deputy editor Kelly Conniff, Shriver discussed emerging research into the relationship between menopause and brain changes, though she noted that the potential benefits of hormone therapy remain unclear. She stressed that brain health encompasses mental well-being across all life stages, pointing to the open dialogue surrounding maternal mental health as a significant cultural advance.
Shriver highlighted the recent trial of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three children in 2023, as evidence of this progress. Clancy’s defense argued she suffered from postpartum psychosis, a rare psychiatric emergency, while prosecutors contended she knew her actions were wrong. The trial ended in a mistrial after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Shriver remarked that the widespread discussion around postpartum depression and maternal health represents a “huge advancement” in her lifetime.
Regarding daily brain health, Shriver promoted foundational habits such as exercise, adequate sleep, a balanced diet, social connection, and mental engagement. She personally practices meditation twice daily but acknowledged that such routines may seem impractical for women managing careers, young children, or aging parents. Recalling her own youth, she admitted she would have rejected meditation suggestions with frustration.
Despite the challenges, Shriver expressed confidence that scientific advancements are accelerating. “I’m fully convinced they’ll find a cure for Alzheimer’s,” she said.
The TIME100 Health Leadership Forum was presented by the American Cancer Society, Kite—a Gilead Sciences company, Insulet, Musely, and NMDP.
She mentioned her dad got diagnosed in 2003, yet we are still waiting for a cure? That is a long time to hope.
Did anyone else feel uneasy bringing up the Clancy trial as a positive for maternal mental health awareness? It felt like a stretch.
I wish she acknowledged that daily meditation isn’t realistic for single parents working two jobs. Not everyone has that luxury.
It is great to see menopause and brain changes discussed openly now, but the hormone therapy debate is still so unresolved.
The stat about only one in five women knowing their Alzheimer’s risk is terrifying. We really need more education on this.