Latest news with #Brodaty
The Advertiser
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Brain expert champions national fight against dementia
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. 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.
Perth Now
23-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Tackling dementia: New approach urged
Urgent action is needed to fight the 'darkness' of dementia, as the deadly condition threatens to affect 850,000 Australians by 2058, a leading brain researcher has said. Dementia is estimated to cost Australia's economy $18bn each year, a figure that will more than double to $37bn in 25 years. But Professor Henry Brodaty spoke to the National Press Club on Wednesday about the need for a new approach to tackling brain health. He said tackling the syndrome would increase productivity in Australia, and delaying the effects of it would allow people to work longer, especially as the workforce ages. A new approach was needed with increased investment to become a world leader in preventing or delaying dementia onset, he said. Professor Brodaty said Australia needs the 'slip, slop, slap' of brain health. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'Think about the slip, slop, slap for skin health,' he said. 'We need the slip, slop, slap of brain health, now. 'Funding for dementia has lagged behind cancer and heart disease, even though it contributes more to disease burden. 'Research is critical to find the best ways to provide services efficiently.' He said dementia develops in Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders at 2-5 times the rate of the rest of the population, and suggested steps to counter this. 'Better care before, during and after pregnancy, and in early childhood, and particularly more education, could make a difference to this,' he said. Professor Brodaty said personalised coaching programs improved brain cognition, and increased people's fitness — pushing back the onset of dementia by a year or more. He said this could save Australia billions. Professor Brodaty said Australia's dementia research is underfunded. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'Imagine what the return on investment would be if Australia did this?' he asked. 'Improving fitness, not only would improve cognition, it would improve fitness, physical, mental and social health.' But Professor Brodaty said Australia's National Dementia Action Plan has only $166m in funding, 'too little for what Australia needs'. 'I sympathise with the government, because there's always competing priorities and there's always other things that can be funded,' he said. 'But, when it makes sense economically, as well as personally to people, then why not do it?'
The Advertiser
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
How tackling dementia can help solve productivity woes
Dementia should be treated as an economic crisis as well as a health issue, a leading scientist has urged. In an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday, brain researcher Henry Brodaty made the financial case for research into dementia. He said federal government funding to a program aimed at slowing dementia progression would lead to a boost in productivity. "It's time for a national movement for brain health, backed by research, scaled with urgency, and funded to save lives and money," Professor Brodaty said. "We don't have a magic doorway out of this crisis, but we do have prevention." His call comes after a dementia prevention trial led by the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing, where Prof Brodaty is a co-director, found personalised coaching in areas such as physical activity and nutrition pushed back the onset of dementia by more than a year. He said the scheme would save billions of dollars in treatment and care costs. Prof Brodaty said 430,000 Australians live with dementia, which costs the economy about $3.7 billion each year. With more older Australians in the workforce, supporting cognitive health is a "smart economic strategy", he said. The researcher also called for the government to adopt a national dementia risk reduction program. "We are at a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer's disease," Prof Brodaty said. "Over four decades, we've moved from hopelessness to hope, from stigma to science." Carers also sacrifice their jobs to manage their dementia patients, compounding productivity losses, he said. Prof Brodaty said by keeping carers in the workplace by alleviating the treatment of patients would benefit the economy. 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 should be treated as an economic crisis as well as a health issue, a leading scientist has urged. In an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday, brain researcher Henry Brodaty made the financial case for research into dementia. He said federal government funding to a program aimed at slowing dementia progression would lead to a boost in productivity. "It's time for a national movement for brain health, backed by research, scaled with urgency, and funded to save lives and money," Professor Brodaty said. "We don't have a magic doorway out of this crisis, but we do have prevention." His call comes after a dementia prevention trial led by the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing, where Prof Brodaty is a co-director, found personalised coaching in areas such as physical activity and nutrition pushed back the onset of dementia by more than a year. He said the scheme would save billions of dollars in treatment and care costs. Prof Brodaty said 430,000 Australians live with dementia, which costs the economy about $3.7 billion each year. With more older Australians in the workforce, supporting cognitive health is a "smart economic strategy", he said. The researcher also called for the government to adopt a national dementia risk reduction program. "We are at a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer's disease," Prof Brodaty said. "Over four decades, we've moved from hopelessness to hope, from stigma to science." Carers also sacrifice their jobs to manage their dementia patients, compounding productivity losses, he said. Prof Brodaty said by keeping carers in the workplace by alleviating the treatment of patients would benefit the economy. 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 should be treated as an economic crisis as well as a health issue, a leading scientist has urged. In an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday, brain researcher Henry Brodaty made the financial case for research into dementia. He said federal government funding to a program aimed at slowing dementia progression would lead to a boost in productivity. "It's time for a national movement for brain health, backed by research, scaled with urgency, and funded to save lives and money," Professor Brodaty said. "We don't have a magic doorway out of this crisis, but we do have prevention." His call comes after a dementia prevention trial led by the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing, where Prof Brodaty is a co-director, found personalised coaching in areas such as physical activity and nutrition pushed back the onset of dementia by more than a year. He said the scheme would save billions of dollars in treatment and care costs. Prof Brodaty said 430,000 Australians live with dementia, which costs the economy about $3.7 billion each year. With more older Australians in the workforce, supporting cognitive health is a "smart economic strategy", he said. The researcher also called for the government to adopt a national dementia risk reduction program. "We are at a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer's disease," Prof Brodaty said. "Over four decades, we've moved from hopelessness to hope, from stigma to science." Carers also sacrifice their jobs to manage their dementia patients, compounding productivity losses, he said. Prof Brodaty said by keeping carers in the workplace by alleviating the treatment of patients would benefit the economy. 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 should be treated as an economic crisis as well as a health issue, a leading scientist has urged. In an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday, brain researcher Henry Brodaty made the financial case for research into dementia. He said federal government funding to a program aimed at slowing dementia progression would lead to a boost in productivity. "It's time for a national movement for brain health, backed by research, scaled with urgency, and funded to save lives and money," Professor Brodaty said. "We don't have a magic doorway out of this crisis, but we do have prevention." His call comes after a dementia prevention trial led by the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing, where Prof Brodaty is a co-director, found personalised coaching in areas such as physical activity and nutrition pushed back the onset of dementia by more than a year. He said the scheme would save billions of dollars in treatment and care costs. Prof Brodaty said 430,000 Australians live with dementia, which costs the economy about $3.7 billion each year. With more older Australians in the workforce, supporting cognitive health is a "smart economic strategy", he said. The researcher also called for the government to adopt a national dementia risk reduction program. "We are at a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer's disease," Prof Brodaty said. "Over four decades, we've moved from hopelessness to hope, from stigma to science." Carers also sacrifice their jobs to manage their dementia patients, compounding productivity losses, he said. Prof Brodaty said by keeping carers in the workplace by alleviating the treatment of patients would benefit the economy. 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.
West Australian
23-07-2025
- Health
- West Australian
How tackling dementia can help solve productivity woes
Dementia should be treated as an economic crisis as well as a health issue, a leading scientist has urged. In an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday, brain researcher Henry Brodaty made the financial case for research into dementia. He said federal government funding to a program aimed at slowing dementia progression would lead to a boost in productivity. "It's time for a national movement for brain health, backed by research, scaled with urgency, and funded to save lives and money," Professor Brodaty said. "We don't have a magic doorway out of this crisis, but we do have prevention." His call comes after a dementia prevention trial led by the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing, where Prof Brodaty is a co-director, found personalised coaching in areas such as physical activity and nutrition pushed back the onset of dementia by more than a year. He said the scheme would save billions of dollars in treatment and care costs. Prof Brodaty said 430,000 Australians live with dementia, which costs the economy about $3.7 billion each year. With more older Australians in the workforce, supporting cognitive health is a "smart economic strategy", he said. The researcher also called for the government to adopt a national dementia risk reduction program. "We are at a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer's disease," Prof Brodaty said. "Over four decades, we've moved from hopelessness to hope, from stigma to science." Carers also sacrifice their jobs to manage their dementia patients, compounding productivity losses, he said. Prof Brodaty said by keeping carers in the workplace by alleviating the treatment of patients would benefit the economy. 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.
Perth Now
23-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
How tackling dementia can help solve productivity woes
Dementia should be treated as an economic crisis as well as a health issue, a leading scientist has urged. In an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday, brain researcher Henry Brodaty made the financial case for research into dementia. He said federal government funding to a program aimed at slowing dementia progression would lead to a boost in productivity. "It's time for a national movement for brain health, backed by research, scaled with urgency, and funded to save lives and money," Professor Brodaty said. "We don't have a magic doorway out of this crisis, but we do have prevention." His call comes after a dementia prevention trial led by the Centre of Healthy Brain Ageing, where Prof Brodaty is a co-director, found personalised coaching in areas such as physical activity and nutrition pushed back the onset of dementia by more than a year. He said the scheme would save billions of dollars in treatment and care costs. Prof Brodaty said 430,000 Australians live with dementia, which costs the economy about $3.7 billion each year. With more older Australians in the workforce, supporting cognitive health is a "smart economic strategy", he said. The researcher also called for the government to adopt a national dementia risk reduction program. "We are at a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer's disease," Prof Brodaty said. "Over four decades, we've moved from hopelessness to hope, from stigma to science." Carers also sacrifice their jobs to manage their dementia patients, compounding productivity losses, he said. Prof Brodaty said by keeping carers in the workplace by alleviating the treatment of patients would benefit the economy. 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.
