During an address at the National Press Club, Professor Henry Brodaty of the University of New South Wales urged the government to support research focused on dementia prevention.

This comes after new studies found the risk of dementia can be reduced with no additional cost to the health system. 

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.

“As Australia faces an ageing population and an increasing dementia crisis, funding preventive initiatives could lead to significant savings in the healthcare system and enhance the quality of life for senior Australians,” Brodaty stated.

“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.