Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At present there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia. However, research over the last decade has provided new hope for dementia prevention. In particular, a growing body of evidence suggests that a number of lifestyle and health factors may help to reduce one's risk of dementia. In addition to tackling risk before the development of dementia, there is also evidence that lifestyle factors such as physical activity, cognitive stimulation and nutrition can improve cognition, mood, behaviour and related outcomes for people living with dementia. With this evidence at hand, Alzheimer's Australia launched its flagship dementia program, Your Brain Matters, in September 2012. Funded through the Chronic Disease Prevention and Service Improvement Fund over a two-year period, it was the world's first publicly funded dementia risk reduction program. Alzheimer's Australia is to be congratulated for this initiative. Unfortunately, there has been no opportunity for it to reapply for continued funding for this program. The contract ceases in June 2015—that is in 2½ months time—meaning the program will cease this year. I call on the Abbott Liberal government to consider giving this program the priority it deserves in their funding considerations for the next budget. Your Brain Matters and programs like the national lifestyle project deserve support from this government. (Time expired)