Strengthening primary health care to promote healthy ageing and reduce risk factors associated with dementia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

About the project

Dementia can be difficult for people and their family and caregivers. Studies show that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a three to five times higher risk of dementia than non-Indigenous people, occurring at a younger age (45+). Health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, and obesity increase the risk of dementia. The aim of this study is to work with Aboriginal health services to strengthen healthy ageing and dementia prevention services for their communities. Goals Identify people’s understanding of dementia and the risk factors Identify what could be done to decrease risk factors Work with Aboriginal Medical Services to look at these risk factors. Interventions will be put in place that are cost-effective, sustainable, affordable, evidence based and are culturally appropriate. For more information on this project visit the Health Ageing Research Team (HART) website.