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    Home > Resource hub > What works for reducing the incidence of dementia in Australia’s ageing population?

What works for reducing the incidence of dementia in Australia’s ageing population?

This review aimed to identify interventions that may be effective in preventing, or delaying the onset, of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, and research gaps to inform future research investment.
  • What works for reducing the incidence of dementia in Australia’s ageing population?

    Evidence brief

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Background

  • Dementia is one of the leading causes of death and disability in older Australians. By 2050, more than 1.1 million Australians will be living with dementia, costing around $6.6 billion per year.
  • Modifiable risk/protective factors proposed for dementia include diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol and educational attainment overlap with those for lifestyle-related chronic diseases suggesting benefits to taking a multi-disease approach to these risk factors.
  • Significant cost and quality of life impacts can be achieved by even modest delays in the onset of dementia so a more specific focus on strategies to delay the onset of dementia may have a greater impact over the longer term.

Key findings

  • There were insufficient follow-up periods in studies to determine the impact of interventions on the incidence of dementia so impact on cognitive function was used as a proxy outcome measure.
  • Cognitive training and physical activity (regular endurance training and tai chi) interventions produced medium to large effects.
  • Separate systematic reviews of trials of omega 3 supplements and anti-hypertensive medication demonstrated small but significant effect sizes.
  • Small effect sizes were found in trials of NSAIDs, cognitive training, improved diabetes control, and dietary supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 but the impacts of these interventions are likely to be further diminished outside of controlled study environments.
Details

DATE 4 Apr 2016

TYPE Evidence Reviews

Prevention experts

  • Associate Professor Jo-An Occhipinti

    The University of Sydney
    Headshot of Jo-An Occhipinti
  • Professor Andrew Wilson AO

    The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre
    Headshot of Andrew Wilson
  • Tess Cooper

  • Eloise O’Donnell

Topics

  • Mental health and wellbeing ,

Prevention methodologies

  • Prevention in the health sector ,
  • Research impact and translation ,
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Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work.

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Funding Partners

The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre is funded by the NHMRC, Australian Government Department of Health, ACT Health, Cancer Council Australia, NSW Ministry of Health, Wellbeing SA, Tasmanian Department of Health, and VicHealth. The Australian Government also contributed through the Medical Research Future Fund. Queensland Health became a financial contributor in 2022. The Prevention Centre is administered by the Sax Institute.

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