Enhancing Rural Community Initiatives to Reduce Dementia Risk

Dementia stands as the leading cause of death in Australia, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals nationwide. Despite its widespread impact, there remains limited understanding of whether residents in rural and regional areas are more prone to developing dementia compared to those living in urban centers. Addressing this knowledge gap, the University of South Australia has launched the innovative "Re-ACTIVate" project, which aims to forge partnerships with rural communities to identify specific risk factors and develop tailored prevention strategies.

This pioneering study will evaluate modifiable dementia risk factors among older adults residing in regional areas and will involve co-designing practical prevention tools designed to meet the unique needs of these communities. Building upon previous research from UniSA, which demonstrated that how older adults spend their time can influence cognition and brain volume, Re-ACTIVate will compare dementia risks and brain health between rural and urban populations.

According to Associate Professor Ashleigh Smith, a leading expert in cognitive aging, nearly half of dementia cases could be preventable through changes in daily behaviors such as smoking, diet, physical activity, and social engagement. However, rural communities face distinct challenges including limited access to healthcare, fewer opportunities for physical activity, and different social and work patterns.

Over the next six months, researchers will work closely with local communities to map available health services and co-develop prevention strategies that are practical and relevant. The outcome will be an accessible dementia prevention toolkit containing resources to educate and support rural residents in maintaining brain health. By centering the community in the development process, the project aims to produce scalable and culturally appropriate solutions that promote equity in health opportunities.

With over 425,000 Australians living with dementia and forecasts estimating more than one million cases by 2065, this initiative underscores the urgency of targeted public health strategies. The team is currently recruiting participants aged 60-80 from Yorke Peninsula and adults over 18 from Port Lincoln and Berri for co-design activities, with options for online participation available.

This project exemplifies a proactive approach to dementia prevention, emphasizing collaboration, community empowerment, and tailored intervention to preserve cognitive health in Australia’s rural areas.