Intervention Strategies for Preserving Intellectual Resilience & Engagement

The
INSPIRE
Project

INSPIRE Project participants and team members at Crenshaw Christian Center

What brings you here?

Choose the path that fits. You can always explore the rest later.

I want to participate

Join

See if INSPIRE Faith or INSPIRE California is right for you.Check eligibility

I want to learn

Understand

Explore the study design, health checks, and research standards.See how it works

I want to help

Support

Help bring preventative brain health to more communities.Ways to support

The challenge

The Problem

Alzheimer’s and other dementias form the fastest-growing epidemic in the world.

90% of cases are preventable, but healthcare resources are often limited or ineffective.

Many communities are under-served by medical research and healthcare policy.

The opportunity

Our Solution

Lifestyle interventions have been shown to counter neurodegenerative diseases.

Our supporters enable us to carry out more of these community projects.

By focusing on under-served populations, our work improves healthcare equity.

Growing with communities

INSPIRE today

Now enrolling

INSPIRE Faith

Created with church communities in South Los Angeles, beginning with Crenshaw Christian Center. Participants take part in person, with cognitive testing, health screenings and an online lifestyle community.

Join INSPIRE

Now enrolling

INSPIRE California

The same lifestyle program, delivered online for adults across California.

Join INSPIRE

INSPIRE is a community-based participatory research project: the program was designed with community members, not just for them. It is led in partnership with academic research partners.

Learn more and sign up at inspireprogram.org

The study, at a glance

Five clear steps.
One supported journey.

  1. 1

    Screening

    Participants aged 55+ without a dementia diagnosis are screened and complete a comprehensive cognitive assessment.

  2. 2

    Baseline health check

    Blood pressure, weight, waist measurement and simple finger-prick tests for blood sugar and cholesterol.

  3. 3

    Two groups

    Participants are randomly placed in a Guided group—a weekly online community with recipes, exercise, sleep and stress guidance, plus Monday intentions and Friday reflections—or an Independent group, with general brain-health information and a monthly check-in.

  4. 4

    Switch at six months

    Assessments are repeated, and the groups swap, so everyone receives the guided program.

  5. 5

    Follow-up

    Participants are followed over time to measure the impact of lifestyle change on cognitive health.

Make the work possible

Support the INSPIRE Project

Healthy Minds Initiative is expanding the INSPIRE Project, bringing preventative brain health, education, and lifestyle interventions to the people who need it most. To make this possible, we’re inviting passionate supporters like you to join us in building a future where brain health is accessible to all.

Your gift will directly fund research and community engagement that transforms lives. Your generosity helps Healthy Minds Initiative partner with the communities most impacted by Alzheimer's and other dementias.

$50,000

Fund the INSPIRE Project in one full community—around 100 participants, 2–3 advisors, full data and events.

How to give

$25,000

Train 5–10 Care Advisors and equip them to lead the INSPIRE Project locally.

How to give

$10,000

Support 50+ blood tests and cognitive screenings for study data.

How to give

$5,000

Fund a wellness event for 200+ residents, including education, cooking and stress relief.

How to give

$1,000

Support the INSPIRE Project’s day-to-day operations, continued education and outreach.

How to give

$500

Sponsor 2–3 participants with materials and screenings.

How to give

Accountable science

Our research standards

Inclusion criteria

Participants are adults aged 55 and older, without a diagnosis of dementia but at risk for cognitive decline, who are willing to participate in lifestyle intervention programs.

Randomization

Participants who meet inclusion criteria are randomly assigned to groups, stratified to ensure balance across key demographics (e.g., age, gender, education level).

Statistical considerations

Analyses compare outcomes between groups, with sample sizes determined to ensure adequate power to detect meaningful differences, using methods including analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and mixed-effects models.

Ethical standards and federal regulations

The project adheres to the ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Measures to ensure compliance with federal regulations (e.g., HIPAA) and protection of human subjects include informed consent processes, Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, and data security and confidentiality.

Organization of the project

The project is led by Healthy Minds Initiative in collaboration with academic researchers, healthcare providers, and community partners including Crenshaw Christian Center. A multidisciplinary team of investigators oversees project operations, with regular meetings and ongoing communication to ensure coordination and adherence to protocols.

By adhering to these rigorous protocols and ethical standards, the INSPIRE Project aims to provide valuable insights into effective strategies for preserving intellectual resilience and engagement among underserved populations at risk for Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline — insights that can be standardized and repeated on an international scale.