IDSC and IDCS: a dual index of societal cognitive health and deterioration

Societal crises—ranging from epidemics of mental illness and chronic disease to democratic fragility and disinformation—reflect deeper cognitive vulnerabilities that traditional metrics fail to capture. We introduce the IDSC–IDCS framework, a dual-index system measuring societal cognitive health (Index of Cognitive Sanity, IDSC) and cognitive-sanitary deterioration (IDCS), integrated with the LEXCOG model, which separates explicit linguistic expressions (LEX) from implicit cognitive patterns (COG). Central to this architecture is the variable K (Knowledge), defined as purpose-driven, resilient cognition. Using longitudinal data (2010–2025) from 38 countries, we validate IDCS as a predictor of health outcomes including cancer incidence (r = 0.68, p < 0.01), suicide (r = 0.73), and obesity (r = 0.71), while IDSC correlates positively with democratic stability and educational resilience (r = 0.64). LEXCOG analysis uncovers misalignments between stated intentions and underlying cognitive dynamics. A case study of South Korea demonstrates that targeted resilience programs reduced IDCS by 18% over a decade. Our findings establish cognitive health as a measurable, modifiable determinant of societal well-being and position K as a critical policy lever to enhance public health, governance, and collective resilience.