Brain expert champions national fight against dementia
Brain expert Henry Brodaty made the case for dementia research at the National Press Club, saying funding for the disease lags cancer and heart disease despite being projected to become Australia's biggest killer.
About 430,000 Australians live with dementia, which costs the economy about $3.7 billion each year.
"With only $166 million in funding, (it's) too little for what Australia needs," Professor Brodaty said on Wednesday.
"It's time for a national movement for brain health, backed by research, scaled with urgency, and funded to save lives and money."
One of these schemes came from a dementia prevention trial led by the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing, where Prof Brodaty is a co-director.
It found personalised coaching in areas such as physical activity and nutrition pushed back the onset of dementia by more than a year.
The researcher called for the government to adopt a national dementia risk reduction program, similar to the centre's personalised coaching model.
He said the scheme would shave billions of dollars off treatment and care costs, as the coaching delays onset and slows progression.
It comes as more older Australians are staying in the workforce, meaning supporting cognitive health is a "smart economic strategy" as patients would be kept in the office for longer.
He also said about half of all carers are sacrificing up to 60 hours per week to look after their dementia patients, and by nationalising the program it could keep carers working.
The professor also called for more research into the brain health of athletes after their sporting careers, with concussions from contact sports such as rugby and boxing potentially contributing to a higher risk of dementia.
While safeguards were in place, Prof Brodaty said more research needs to be done into athletes' lives after sport.
Sportspeople can go through "great periods of depression" after their career, he said.
"People who have had depression are likely to have dementia ... I should emphasise these are relative risks," Prof Brodaty said.
"Not everyone with hearing loss will get dementia, not everyone with diabetes will get dementia, or obesity, but they are at an increased (risk)."
The federal government launched a national dementia action plan in 2024, providing eight recommendations based on findings from the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing.
The recommendations include improving dementia treatment and diagnosis, supporting carers and tackling stigma.
Dementia patients receive "too little" from governments but there is light at the end of the tunnel for the disease, a leading scientist says.
Brain expert Henry Brodaty made the case for dementia research at the National Press Club, saying funding for the disease lags cancer and heart disease despite being projected to become Australia's biggest killer.
About 430,000 Australians live with dementia, which costs the economy about $3.7 billion each year.
"With only $166 million in funding, (it's) too little for what Australia needs," Professor Brodaty said on Wednesday.
"It's time for a national movement for brain health, backed by research, scaled with urgency, and funded to save lives and money."
One of these schemes came from a dementia prevention trial led by the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing, where Prof Brodaty is a co-director.
It found personalised coaching in areas such as physical activity and nutrition pushed back the onset of dementia by more than a year.
The researcher called for the government to adopt a national dementia risk reduction program, similar to the centre's personalised coaching model.
He said the scheme would shave billions of dollars off treatment and care costs, as the coaching delays onset and slows progression.
It comes as more older Australians are staying in the workforce, meaning supporting cognitive health is a "smart economic strategy" as patients would be kept in the office for longer.
He also said about half of all carers are sacrificing up to 60 hours per week to look after their dementia patients, and by nationalising the program it could keep carers working.
The professor also called for more research into the brain health of athletes after their sporting careers, with concussions from contact sports such as rugby and boxing potentially contributing to a higher risk of dementia.
While safeguards were in place, Prof Brodaty said more research needs to be done into athletes' lives after sport.
Sportspeople can go through "great periods of depression" after their career, he said.
"People who have had depression are likely to have dementia ... I should emphasise these are relative risks," Prof Brodaty said.
"Not everyone with hearing loss will get dementia, not everyone with diabetes will get dementia, or obesity, but they are at an increased (risk)."
The federal government launched a national dementia action plan in 2024, providing eight recommendations based on findings from the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing.
The recommendations include improving dementia treatment and diagnosis, supporting carers and tackling stigma.
Dementia patients receive "too little" from governments but there is light at the end of the tunnel for the disease, a leading scientist says.
Brain expert Henry Brodaty made the case for dementia research at the National Press Club, saying funding for the disease lags cancer and heart disease despite being projected to become Australia's biggest killer.
About 430,000 Australians live with dementia, which costs the economy about $3.7 billion each year.
"With only $166 million in funding, (it's) too little for what Australia needs," Professor Brodaty said on Wednesday.
"It's time for a national movement for brain health, backed by research, scaled with urgency, and funded to save lives and money."
One of these schemes came from a dementia prevention trial led by the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing, where Prof Brodaty is a co-director.
It found personalised coaching in areas such as physical activity and nutrition pushed back the onset of dementia by more than a year.
The researcher called for the government to adopt a national dementia risk reduction program, similar to the centre's personalised coaching model.
He said the scheme would shave billions of dollars off treatment and care costs, as the coaching delays onset and slows progression.
It comes as more older Australians are staying in the workforce, meaning supporting cognitive health is a "smart economic strategy" as patients would be kept in the office for longer.
He also said about half of all carers are sacrificing up to 60 hours per week to look after their dementia patients, and by nationalising the program it could keep carers working.
The professor also called for more research into the brain health of athletes after their sporting careers, with concussions from contact sports such as rugby and boxing potentially contributing to a higher risk of dementia.
While safeguards were in place, Prof Brodaty said more research needs to be done into athletes' lives after sport.
Sportspeople can go through "great periods of depression" after their career, he said.
"People who have had depression are likely to have dementia ... I should emphasise these are relative risks," Prof Brodaty said.
"Not everyone with hearing loss will get dementia, not everyone with diabetes will get dementia, or obesity, but they are at an increased (risk)."
The federal government launched a national dementia action plan in 2024, providing eight recommendations based on findings from the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing.
The recommendations include improving dementia treatment and diagnosis, supporting carers and tackling stigma.
Dementia patients receive "too little" from governments but there is light at the end of the tunnel for the disease, a leading scientist says.
Brain expert Henry Brodaty made the case for dementia research at the National Press Club, saying funding for the disease lags cancer and heart disease despite being projected to become Australia's biggest killer.
About 430,000 Australians live with dementia, which costs the economy about $3.7 billion each year.
"With only $166 million in funding, (it's) too little for what Australia needs," Professor Brodaty said on Wednesday.
"It's time for a national movement for brain health, backed by research, scaled with urgency, and funded to save lives and money."
One of these schemes came from a dementia prevention trial led by the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing, where Prof Brodaty is a co-director.
It found personalised coaching in areas such as physical activity and nutrition pushed back the onset of dementia by more than a year.
The researcher called for the government to adopt a national dementia risk reduction program, similar to the centre's personalised coaching model.
He said the scheme would shave billions of dollars off treatment and care costs, as the coaching delays onset and slows progression.
It comes as more older Australians are staying in the workforce, meaning supporting cognitive health is a "smart economic strategy" as patients would be kept in the office for longer.
He also said about half of all carers are sacrificing up to 60 hours per week to look after their dementia patients, and by nationalising the program it could keep carers working.
The professor also called for more research into the brain health of athletes after their sporting careers, with concussions from contact sports such as rugby and boxing potentially contributing to a higher risk of dementia.
While safeguards were in place, Prof Brodaty said more research needs to be done into athletes' lives after sport.
Sportspeople can go through "great periods of depression" after their career, he said.
"People who have had depression are likely to have dementia ... I should emphasise these are relative risks," Prof Brodaty said.
"Not everyone with hearing loss will get dementia, not everyone with diabetes will get dementia, or obesity, but they are at an increased (risk)."
The federal government launched a national dementia action plan in 2024, providing eight recommendations based on findings from the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing.
The recommendations include improving dementia treatment and diagnosis, supporting carers and tackling stigma.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
Warning for Australian travellers with rabies infections surge in Bali
Aussie travellers have been warned infection rates from rabies have surged in Bali, with popular tourist spots have been declared 'red zones.' Rabies-positive animals have been detected in areas such as South Kuta, Nusa-Dua, Tanjung Benoa, Jimbara and Changgu. The acting head of animal health Anak Agung Istri Brahmi Witari told the Courier Mail no more than five dogs were responsible for the cases. 'The dominance of the red zone in South Kuta is because the terrain has many bushes, so it is used as a nest by wild dogs, and this is one of the reasons,' Mr Witari said. The Courier Mail reported the Bali State Polytechnic Campus in Jimbaran and on Jalan Pratama vaccinated stray dogs on July 10, and victims were directed to local health clinics for treatment. Smart Traveller warned Australians rabies was presently a risk through Indonesia and the disease was 100 per cent fatal. The website said the deadly disease was mainly transmitted by bites from infected dogs, cats and monkey, but could also be transmitted by other mammals. Travellers have been urged to get vaccinated before they travelled to the popular holiday spot. 'To protect yourself from rabies get vaccinated prior to travel, avoid direct contact with dogs, don't feed or touch animals and avoid contact with other animals, including bats and monkeys,' the website stated. Originally published as Rabies infections surge in Bali prompting warning for Aussie travellers to get vaccinated
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Warning with deadly disease on rise in Bali
Aussie travellers have been warned infection rates from rabies have surged in Bali, with popular tourist spots have been declared 'red zones.' Rabies-positive animals have been detected in areas such as South Kuta, Nusa-Dua, Tanjung Benoa, Jimbara and Changgu. The acting head of animal health Anak Agung Istri Brahmi Witari told the Courier Mail no more than five dogs were responsible for the cases. 'The dominance of the red zone in South Kuta is because the terrain has many bushes, so it is used as a nest by wild dogs, and this is one of the reasons,' Mr Witari said. The Courier Mail reported the Bali State Polytechnic Campus in Jimbaran and on Jalan Pratama vaccinated stray dogs on July 10, and victims were directed to local health clinics for treatment. Smart Traveller warned Australians rabies was presently a risk through Indonesia and the disease was 100 per cent fatal. Travellers have been urged to get vaccinated for rabies before they travelled to Bali. Photo: iStock Credit: istock The website said the deadly disease was mainly transmitted by bites from infected dogs, cats and monkey, but could also be transmitted by other mammals. Travellers have been urged to get vaccinated before they travelled to the popular holiday spot. 'To protect yourself from rabies get vaccinated prior to travel, avoid direct contact with dogs, don't feed or touch animals and avoid contact with other animals, including bats and monkeys,' the website stated.
SBS Australia
17 hours ago
- SBS Australia
'Heartbreaking reality': The essential products one in eight Australians can't afford
Millions of Australians could be living in hygiene poverty, with many struggling to afford basic items such as soap, toothpaste and deodorant. About one in eight people recently skipped buying personal hygiene or cleaning products to afford other essentials, according to research conducted on behalf of charity Good360 Australia. "Our research has uncovered the heartbreaking reality that millions of Australians are struggling to afford everyday basics," managing director Alison Covington said. 'Devastating toll' Hygiene poverty occurs when people are unable to afford everyday essential products such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, household cleaning products and feminine hygiene products. "Hygiene poverty can cause feelings of low self-esteem, embarrassment and shame, and make it difficult for people to maintain their health," Covington said. "It takes a devastating toll on people's mental and physical wellbeing." People unable to afford basic needs often avoid social events or commitments such as work and school, Covington said. The survey, involving a nationally representative sample of 1000 people, also found that one in seven respondents struggled to afford cleaning products in the last six months, while one in eight experienced hygiene poverty for the first time. A further 19 per cent feared they would soon be unable to afford hygiene or cleaning products and 12 per cent of people were experiencing hygiene poverty for the first time. Women and young people were more likely to be impacted by the issue, with almost a third of young people and 21 per cent of women concerned about affording essential hygiene and cleaning products, compared to 16 per cent of men. Liverpool Women's Health Centre, in Sydney's southwest, helps more than 5000 women per year and has found personal items such as soap, deodorant and feminine hygiene products to be in high demand. "Everyday women that you wouldn't necessarily expect to need a deodorant or a packet of soap are taking it," chief executive Kate Meyer said. Meyer said one of the centre's elderly clients was "over the moon with gratitude" when she was given incontinence products. "That's horrifying for us because these are things that she needs for her everyday living," she said. "They shouldn't be something that gives her such joy. "They should be things that she's able to get in her groceries every week." Good360 channels unsold consumer goods to charities and disadvantaged schools to help people in need, preventing the surplus goods from going to landfill.
