With Western Australia projected to record the nation’s fastest growth in dementia cases, a new Curtin University-led resource aims to help people protect their brain health and reduce their risk.
Brain Health WA — launched during Dementia Action Week — is a new resource that translates the latest brain health evidence into practical advice, everyday actions and connections to support services for people of every age and community.
Available online and in print, the resource was developed by DEMRISK-WA, a program led by Curtin University’s Professor Blossom Stephan in collaboration with researchers from The University of Western Australia and the Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute at Edith Cowan University, industry partner Dementia Australia, and the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study.
More than 100 Western Australians — including people living with dementia, carers, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, policymakers and industry representatives — co-designed the resource.
Latest figures show WA dementia cases are expected to double within the next three decades, rising from an estimated 43,400 people in 2026 to about 87,000 by 2054.
Brain Health WA lead Dr Claire Burley, from Curtin’s enAble Institute, said co-designing a resource with those who wanted to use it was a gamechanger for healthy brain ageing and lowering dementia risk.
Every family is affected by brain health, yet most people are never told what they can do to protect and optimize their brain health — Brain Health WA changes that. By translating the evidence on dementia risk reduction into clear, practical and culturally relevant guidance — and by pairing individual action with the support and services people need around them — the resource seeks to move brain health from fear and uncertainty towards knowledge, agency and equity, so that the opportunity to age well is within everyone’s reach.”
Dr. Claire Burley, Curtin’s enAble Institute
Professor Stephan, the Chair in Dementia and Director of the Dementia Centre of Excellence at Curtin’s enAble Institute, said up to 45 per cent of dementia cases were linked to factors that could be addressed.
“Despite what most people think, dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing,” Professor Stephan said.
“Some of the modifiable risk factors for dementia surprise people, like acting on hearing or vision loss, treating depression and staying socially connected. Making sure there are services and support to help people address risk factors is vitally important.
“While we cannot change getting older, our genetics or family history, scientific research shows that looking after our brain health can make a big difference to reducing the risk of developing dementia.”
Dementia Australia Chief Executive Officer Professor Tanya Buchanan said it is important everyone receives the support and services necessary to help look after their brain health.
“Scientific research shows looking after our brain health can make a big difference to reducing the risk of developing dementia. Brain Health WA is a good way to learn how to do this and to feel more supported with an evidence-based resource,” Professor Buchanan said.
Brain Health WA has been supported by the Western Australian Future Health Research and Innovation Fund.
