GPs are being sought to participate in a working group to kickstart conversations about how different models of brain health lifestyle care can be used to support multi-ethnic individuals living in South Western Sydney.
Our region has a large multicultural population, with 54.1 per cent of households speaking a non-English language (compared to NSW’s average of 26.5 per cent).
Dementia prevention is a major public health priority yet programs targeting lifestyle and dementia risk modification are yet to be broadly implemented into practice and have been developed mainly using a Western-centric model of care.
Primary care professionals are often the first point of contact for older adults. As such, general advice and support discussions on lifestyle factor management are best suited to be provided in primary care.
Although key Australian policy guidelines specify a role for GPs to promote brain health, it is not routinely delivered, with only 15 per cent of Australian patients hearing about dementia from their GP.
The working group will aim to bridge the gap between current practice and routine promotion of brain health for dementia risk reduction.
If you’re interested in joining the working group, please contact Dr Joyce Siette, Research Theme Fellow Health and Wellbeing from Wester Sydney University, via email at Joyce.Siette@westernsydney.edu.au