To summarize the extant literature on the intersection between neurological health and police violence, leveraging the social ecological framework. At the individual level, we examined how 1) neurological disability increases risk of police violence; and 2) police violence can cause neurological injury. At the institutional level, we examined the 3) effects of police presence in healthcare settings, and 4) limitations of neurological care in carceral settings. At the community level, we examined the 5) brain health effects of community exposure to police violence.

While police violence’s effects on marginalized populations is a well-documented public health concern, less is known about how neurological and brain health intersect with this issue.

Using the social ecological model as a guiding framework, we conducted a narrative literature review using PubMed, supplemented with grey literature searches that included news articles and legal reports.

We found that 1) neurological diseases increase the risk of police exposure and related violence (e.g., someone with Huntington’s disease being perceived as inebriated); 2) specific police practices cause neurologic injuries, including permanent nerve damage (e.g., police attack dog bites, handcuff-related injuries); and 3) exposure to both physical and psychological forms of police violence portend worse mental health, particularly among those from marginalized communities. From an institutional standpoint, the findings demonstrate that 4) law enforcement presence in hospital settings can compromise patient privacy and care; and 5) patients in carceral settings face screening and treatment gaps for neurologic conditions. Finally, we found that 6) community exposure to police violence can lead to brain health harms, including poor mental health and worse sleep, even if police violence is witnessed and not experienced directly.

Understanding how neurological health and police violence intersect is necessary to promoting brain health equity across populations.