WORCESTER, Mass. - The UMass Chan Collaborative in Health Equity held its first Brain Health Equity Awareness and Resources Fair at the Worcester Public Library on Tuesday.

Speakers said the event is part of an effort to draw attention to the risk factors of diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia, particularly among those who could be more likely to get the diseases.

Dr. Sarah Forrester, assistant professor of epidemiology at UMass Chan, said socially marginalized people may be more likely to suffer health complications which could eventually lead to more serious brain conditions.

She hopes holding events like this could make a difference for someone who might not realize they’re at risk before it’s too late.

“Brain health starts early in life, so understanding that in midlife, your blood pressure, weight, things like that are very important to what might eventually happen as far as dementia and cognitive decline go,” Forrester said. “Really understanding prevention and understanding that in socially marginalized populations in particular.”

The Umass Chan Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Neurology Program has also worked to research and learn more about these risk factors, including last year’s study using artificial intelligence to spot early signs of cognitive decline.

Dr. Anindita Deb, an associate professor of neurology, said the wide variety of community organizations at the event were also helpful in guiding people to key resources.

“We’re offering free blood pressure checks, and we have some great partners with different resources available to the community,” Deb said. “We’re really centered on trust and building with our community, and we hope to do more around the city on similar topics and maybe different issues like disparity.”