This is scary!
A new study from the University of Melbourne has predicted that by 2056 more than one million Australians will suffer from dementia.
Dr Terence Chong (pictured), a psychiatrist and Senior Research Fellow at the University told News GP that dementia was already the largest cause of disability in Australia and has called for a prevention plan.
More than 1.6 million Australians are already involved in caring for a person with dementia and with cases set to rise concerns have also been laid out about carer numbers.
Some of the largest risk factors associated with dementia include inactivity (17.9%), mid-life obesity (17%) and depression (8%).
The prevention plan could include preventive measures such as eating healthy and a more active lifestyle were possible.
Dr Chong has recommended a host of prevention options including public health guidelines, better equipped primary carers, more funding for research and mobilising peak health advocacy groups.
It sounds like a good plan to us.
