New research reveals many Australians don’t realise everyday health issues like hearing loss, depression and high cholesterol significantly increase their risk of developing dementia. This lack of awareness comes as dementia is projected to become the country’s leading cause of death within five years.
New data released by Dementia Australia for Brain Health Week has shed fresh light on the role of hearing loss, depression, and high cholesterol as significant — yet often overlooked — risk factors for dementia. Despite dementia ranking as the second leading cause of death in Australia, a recent iPsos survey indicates many Australians remain unaware that proactive steps can reduce or delay onset of the condition.
Related: Brain Awareness Week puts dementia in the national spotlight
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan says urgent action is needed: “Dementia is on track to become the country’s biggest cause of death within the next five years. While we cannot change getting older, genetics or family history, scientific research shows that looking after our brain health can make a big difference to reducing or delaying the risk of developing dementia.”
Findings from the Lancet Commission last year identified 14 modifiable risk factors — including smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity — that could reduce global dementia incidence by up to 45 percent if properly addressed. Hearing loss alone can raise dementia risk by two to five times, according to Professor Buchanan: “In fact, people with mild-severe hearing loss are two to five times as likely to develop dementia than those with normal hearing.”
Peter, who lives with younger onset dementia, learned this too late after two decades of living with an incurable hearing condition:
“If we can get the message out there, to help people identify small changes they can make in their every day – we might just save a life,” he said.
Meanwhile, clinical research led by Dementia Australia Honorary Medical Advisor Henry Brodaty AO offers hope for many. “The outcome was a resounding yes – we can improve cognition over three years and, therefore, likely enhance resilience to dementia,” Professor Brodaty said of the ‘Maintain Your Brain’ trial, which showed that tackling modifiable risks can slow cognitive decline.
With more than 433,000 Australians currently living with dementia, Professor Buchanan has called on the Federal Government to fund a nationwide conversation about brain health:
“It’s a chronic condition which must be treated with the same health investment as other major chronic conditions,” she said. “It is never too early or too late to reduce your dementia risk.”
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
