Note: The information expressed in this podcast is of general nature and may not be appropriate for your personal circumstances. Contact your doctor for clear advice on your situation.
Research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released on 14 November 2024 shows that dementia has overtaken heart disease as Australia's leading cause of death, with more than 17,500 deaths recorded in 2024.
Dementia is not merely a matter of "forgetfulness," often considered a natural part of aging. Dementia is a progressive and fatal condition that affects memory and the body's overall ability to function, said Prof. Amy Brodtmann, a professor of neurology at Monash University who runs cognitive disorders clinics at Royal Melbourne Hospital and Box Hill Hospital.
Prof. Brodtmann said dementia risk is influenced by a range of factors across the lifespan. The major risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, and cholesterol - similar to the risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Air pollution, low levels of education, and social isolation also contribute to dementia risk, she said.
In Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Prof. Brodtmann said vascular dementia is one of the most common causes of dementia, and it shares the same risk factors as heart disease and stroke.
The good news is that early diagnosis and lifestyle interventions - like regular exercise, eating healthy food, and managing cardiovascular risk factors - have been proven to slow the progression of dementia.
More interestingly, according to the new research published in the journal Nature in 2025, the shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia, although further research is still needed.
Listen to the SBS Indonesian interview with Prof. Amy Brodtmann to learn more about whether dementia is a direct cause of death, the importance of early diagnosis, also symptoms of dementia in young people and the specific challenges faced by multicultural communities in accessing care in Australia.
Also listen to an interview with Susana Kodhyat, an Indonesian carer in Adelaide, to learn key considerations for caring for people with dementia at home.
Listen to the full podcast.
