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Professor Henry Brodaty AO, Researcher, Clinician, Policy Advisor, will Address the National Press Club of Australia on “Australians need the ‘slip, slop, slap’ of brain health”

We don’t often hear good news about dementia. Almost 120 years after Dr Alzheimer described the pathology in the brain of his patient, the world is experiencing the largest number of people ever living with dementia and at the same time, the most exciting developments in research to date.

We do hear a lot about the not-so-good news, such as 433,300 Australians are currently living with dementia, the expected doubling to over 800,000 by mid-century and the heartbreaking effects of dementia on the person and the family. Dementia is the leading cause of death for women, and the second leading cause of death overall in Australia and is a major cause of disability and disease burden. It is the leading cause of death in the UK.

Most dementias, of which there are more than 100 types, are progressive and untreatable. It is estimated to now cost the Australian economy $18 billion annually – approximately 0.65% of GDP – and this figure is projected to rise to $37 billion by mid-century. Dementia is people’s greatest fear, especially those who have been personally touched by dementia.

In the absence of approved medications to treat Alzheimer’s disease, a fundamental issue remains. Even if we do find a therapeutic treatment, it won’t help the millions of people who already have dementia or proactively prevent future generations from developing the disease.

The good news is that significant advances in prevention of dementia and latest research from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) are offering new and great hope for all Australians.

The largest internet-based trial ever conducted with the aim of preventing cognitive decline and dementia has proven that a lifestyle intervention could essentially reduce worldwide dementia prevalence.

In December 2024, the Department of Health and Aged Care released the National Dementia Action Plan 2024-2034, which sets out 8 actions to deal with the dementia crisis confronting Australia. A National Risk Reduction Program based on CHeBA’s successful trial would likely push back the onset of dementia by more than one year. It would also likely lead to a 15% reduction in total dementia-related costs by mid-century, saving several billion dollars in treatment and care costs.

Such a program would empower individuals and communities to minimise their own risk, and delay onset and progression of dementia.

We are now at a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementias and science is proving that it is possible to delay the onset and slow down the disease progression. Research funding for dementia lags behind other conditions despite its massive contribution to our nation’s disease costs.

_{^{Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty will discuss these issues and possible strategies. Professor Brodaty co-directs the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at ���������¼� Sydney which aims to achieve, through research, healthier brain ageing and better clinical care of age-related brain diseases. He is a clinician, researcher, policy advisor and former chairman of Alzheimer’s Disease International representing 120 national Alzheimer Associations, and a past president of Alzheimer’s Australia now called Dementia Australia.}}

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About Henry

Professor Henry Brodaty is a researcher, clinician, policy advisor and strong advocate for people with dementia and their carers. At ���������¼� Sydney he is Scientia Professor of Ageing and Mental Health and Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing whose vision is to achieve, through research, healthier brain ageing and better clinical care of age-related brain diseases – specifically Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. He is a founding member and former chairman of Alzheimer’s Disease International, an advisor to the World Health Organisation and is also the past president of Alzheimer’s Australia (now Dementia Australia) and Alzheimer’s Australia NSW.

Henry’s lifetime achievements have been recognised by becoming an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2000. In June 2016 he was the recipient of the international Ryman Prize for the world’s best advance or achievement that enhances quality of life for older people. He is a Paul Harris International Fellow and was awarded a Rotary Sydney Vocational Services Award. In 2015 he was honoured as a Fellow of the Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and in 2022 as Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences. In 2024 he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Australian Dementia Research Forum.