Cutting country dementia risks through community collaboration

Dementia is the leading cause of death in Australia. Yet despite its prevalence, little is known about whether rural and regional Australians are more likely to develop the condition than their city counterparts.

Now, a new University of South Australia project – Re-ACTIVate – is working with regional communities to identify if country-based people are more susceptible to dementia and to develop prevention strategies that are tailored to rural areas.

The first study of its kind, Re-ACTIVate will assess modifiable dementia risk factors among older rural people, then co-design a practical prevention toolkit tailored to the needs of rural and regional communities.

The new study builds upon UniSA’s landmark ACTIVate research which found that how older people spend their time can affect their cognition and brain volume.

Lead researcher and cognitive ageing expert, Associate Professor Ashleigh Smith, says the study will directly compare dementia risk factors and brain health between rural and urban adults.

“Dementia is often considered an inevitable part of ageing, but in fact nearly half of cases could be prevented by changing everyday behaviours,” Assoc Prof Smith says.

“We know there are at least 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia, which include things like smoking, diet, exercise and social isolation and we have data on how these risk factors affect people living in Australian cities.

“We also know that people living in rural and remote communities face different challenges, including access to health services, continuity of care, fewer places to be physically active, and different work and social patterns.

“This project will examine the lifestyle behaviours that increase dementia risk in rural and regional communities, then work with those same communities to co-design early prevention strategies.”

In Australia, about 425,000 Australians are living with dementia, with more than one million projected to have dementia by 2065.

PhD candidate and UniSA researcher Britt Burton says there is a critical need for a public health strategy that targets dementia risk in rural and regional Australia.

“Rural and regional communities are strong, resourceful and deeply connected — qualities that make them wonderful places to live and age,” Burton says.

“But with health services often stretched across vast distances and many younger people moving to the cities, communities can be left with fewer supports and opportunities — particularly for older residents who want to stay healthy, connected and active.

“Knowing this, it’s vital that we work with rural people to develop public health strategies that will specifically reduce dementia risk. They know their communities best and are central to creating practical solutions that will reduce dementia risk and keep rural and regional areas thriving.”

Over the next six months, the UniSA team will work with rural communities to map local services and co-design achievable and relevant dementia prevention strategies. The final outcome will be a dementia prevention toolkit – a suite of easy-to-use resources giving country people the knowledge and support to reduce their risk and keep their brains healthy for longer.

“By partnering with local people, we hope to develop an appropriate, scalable and tailored toolkit that genuinely reflects the realities of the rural and regional communities, not a stock-standard, one-size-fits-all approach,” Assoc Prof Smith says.

“Our project is about equity – making sure that people living in the country have the same opportunities to protect their brain health as those in the city.

“By putting rural communities at the centre of the solution, this project could help transform dementia prevention and improve outcomes for generations to come.”

The team is currently seeking participants aged 60-80 from the Yorke Peninsula for the Re-ACTIVate study; and adults over the age of 18 from Port Lincoln and Berri (and surrounds) for co-design sessions, with an online option being explored for those living in other areas. To register your interest, or to find out more, please contact Britt Burton: britt.burton@mymail.unisa.edu.au

The University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide are joining forces to become Australia’s new major university – Adelaide University. Building on the strengths, legacies and resources of two leading universities, Adelaide University will deliver globally relevant research at scale, innovative, industry-informed teaching and an outstanding student experience. Adelaide University will open its doors in January 2026. Find out more on the Adelaide University website.

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Contact for interview:  Assoc Prof Ashleigh Smith E: Ashleigh.Smith@unisa.edu.au

Britt Burton: E: Britt Burton: britt.burton@mymail.unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au