One of Australia’s leading experts on brain health has urged the federal government to increase efforts on dementia research after a new study found that the disease could cost the nation over $7 billion a year by 2058.
Speaking at the National Press Club, Professor Henry Brodaty from the University of New South Wales made a call to action for the government to back prevention-focused dementia research.
This comes after new studies found the risk of dementia can be reduced with no additional cost to the health system.
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“We are at a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease,” Brodaty said.
“The science is clear: dementia is not inevitable, and we now have the tools to delay onset and slow progression.”
With over 400,000 Australians living with dementia, the disease currently costs the nation an estimated $3.7 billion in direct costs yearly, however that could rise to more than $7 billion by 2058 without action.
“We don’t have a magic doorway out of this crisis, but we do have prevention, through smart investment in proven programs,” Brodaty said.
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He added dementia isn’t just a health concern, but also an economic issue linked to Australia’s stalling productivity.
Over the last three decades, Australia’s workforce age has doubled, with 19 per cent of workers aged 55 or over.
“With Australia’s ageing population and growing dementia burden, investing in preventive programs could offer substantial health system savings while improving quality of life for older Australians,” Brodaty said.
“It’s time for a national movement for brain health, backed by research, scaled with urgency, and funded to save lives and money,” he added.
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