The problem:
Dementia is Australia's leading cause of death, with 19,019 deaths attributed to dementia in 2025-meaning more than 1 in 10 Australians who died last year had dementia recorded as the underlying cause. With an estimated 459,000 Australians now living with dementia and that number projected to approach 1.1 million by 2066, the growing crisis is prompting a critical question: is there anything we can do about it?
And the answer is yes! The 2024 Lancet Commission identified 14 potentially modifiable risk factors and estimated that addressing them across the life course could prevent or delay up to 45% of dementia cases worldwide.
The solution:
Doctors For Nutrition, an independent not-for-profit committed to evidence-based health education, introduces The Brain Health Blueprint-an online, on-demand course for the general public designed to cut through the confusion around dementia prevention and offer practical, evidence-based strategies to support brain health and reduce dementia risk. The message we want to share is that dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is not an inevitable part of getting older and we want people to know what they can do to help reduce their risk.
Access the course:
- For the general public: The Brain Health Blueprint
- For healthcare professionals: Brain Health in Clinical Practice
Designed for healthcare professionals who want to support dementia risk reduction through patient-centred conversations grounded in current evidence; accredited for 4 CPD hours
From fear to action
With dementia now responsible for more than 1 in 10 Australian deaths, the need for better public understanding and empowerment has never been greater.
Dementia also affects far more than the person diagnosed. An estimated 1.7 million Australians provide care for someone living with dementia, placing a significant emotional, social and financial burden on families and communities.
By understanding the evidence and taking action on modifiable risk factors, Australians can support their brain health at every stage of life.
Key takeaways:
Australia's leading cause of death: Dementia was responsible for 19,019 Australian deaths in 2025-more than 10% of deaths.
A growing problem: An estimated 459,000 Australians are living with dementia in 2026, projected to approach 1.1 million by 2066.
Not inevitable: Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing. Age and genetics matter, but addressing modifiable risk factors could prevent or delay up to 45% of dementia cases worldwide.
What we can do: Making healthy lifestyle choices and managing modifiable risk factors can help support brain health and help reduce dementia risk.
From fear to action: The new course offers practical, evidence-based information to understand dementia risk and take action to support brain health
Two Courses Available: Separate programs for medical professionals and patients ensure accessible, tailored education for both clinicians and the community.
About us:
Doctors For Nutrition is an independent, registered charity founded in 2018 to inspire the healthcare sector, policymakers, and society at large to integrate nutrition-led lifestyle medicine principles as powerful tools for disease prevention and care. With a team of medical and dietetic practitioners across Australia, New Zealand, and globally, Doctors For Nutrition works to equip clinicians, institutions, and communities with evidence-based education and resources on optimal human nutrition-led lifestyle medicine strategies to prevent, alleviate, and even reverse chronic diseases, aiming to create a world free from preventable disease where everyone can thrive and live to their full potential.
