Australians Turning 50 to Receive Dementia Prevention Letters
23 Jul 2026
The letters will be delivered during July and August. They encourage people to stay physically active, eat a healthy and balanced diet, stop smoking, and seek support for their mental health. The aim is to help Australians reduce their risk of developing dementia later in life.
Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, said GPs are likely to receive more questions from patients as the campaign raises awareness. He said turning 50 is a good opportunity for people to review their health and work with their GP to manage risk factors.
Professor Kidd said prevention is an important part of every GP consultation. Managing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, along with quitting smoking, can improve long-term health and may also help lower the risk of dementia.
The campaign follows other national prevention programs, including the National Lung Cancer Screening Program and the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, which encourage early action to improve health outcomes.
The initiative also comes as the World Health Organization updates its international dementia prevention guidelines. The new guidance highlights that up to 45% of dementia cases could potentially be prevented by reducing known risk factors through healthy lifestyle choices and early intervention.
The RACGP has also called for better funding, improved access to dementia services, clear care pathways and practical guidance to support GPs as Australia continues to strengthen its dementia prevention strategy.
Australians Turning 50 to Receive Dementia Prevention Letters
Source: newsGP