Australia Urgently Needs a Dementia Prevention Campaign, Doctor Urges

A preventative campaign similar to \"slip, slap, slop\" is needed for dementia, as research suggests cases of the disease could be delayed without extra cost, according to Prof Henry Brodaty from the University of New South Wales.

Brodaty emphasized the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors like poor diet to prevent dementia in Australia's aging population. He highlighted the success of past health campaigns in Australia and called for similar awareness for dementia prevention.

The National Dementia Action Plan 2023–2034 was deemed underfunded at $166m by Brodaty, who stressed the need for better support and guidance for patients and families post-diagnosis.

A study led by Brodaty found that an internet-based dementia prevention program tailored to individual risk profiles was cost-effective in improving cognition and reducing dementia risk.

The trial involved over 6,000 Australians aged 55 to 77 without dementia but with modifiable risk factors. Participants who received online coaching showed significant cognitive improvements and reduced dementia risk compared to those who received general health information.

The researchers noted that delaying the onset of dementia by just one year could reduce its prevalence by 10%, emphasizing the potential population-level impact of such interventions.

Prof Scott Ayton from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health praised the study, highlighting the effectiveness of lifestyle and risk factor-targeted prevention strategies in reducing dementia risk.

According to the source: The Guardian.