Cognitive Aging: Progress in Understanding and Opportunities for Action: Forgetfulness at older ages is often equated with a decline in cognition, or cognitive aging — a public health issue that goes beyond memory lapses and one that can have significant impacts on independent living and healthy aging. This IOM study examines this decline. It assesses public health dimensions of cognitive aging with an emphasis on definitions and terminology, epidemiology and surveillance, prevention and intervention, education of health professionals, and public awareness and education.
