The Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) has joined forces with the Brain Foundation in this year’s Brain Awareness Week, by calling for improved action to address one of the biggest public health issues in Australia: the growing burden of neurological diseases, disorders, and injuries.
Conditions affecting the brain and nervous system impact people of all ages and from all walks of life, with roughly 2 in 5 Australians experiencing a brain disorder in their lifetime. Neurological disorders account for 8.4% of Australia’s total disease burden, a staggering 91.9% increase since 2003. A significant part of this is the growing prevalence of dementia, which is projected to surpass coronary heart disease as the leading cause of death in the near future.
Dementia is estimated to cost the Australian society $16-$18 billion per year; projected to rise to $37 billion by mid-century. It is the leading cause of death in Australian women and the second leading cause of death overall. Currently, there are no effective treatments, with surveys showing that dementia is the medical condition most feared by older Australians.
Other conditions such as migraine, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy are not fatal, but can cause years of disability.
“Preventive healthcare is the cornerstone of lifelong brain health,” says Trevor Thompson, CEO, at the Brain Foundation. “Through education and awareness, Australians can take control of their brain health by understanding risk factors, recognising early symptoms, and seeking medical advice when needed.”
According to Co-Directors of CHeBA, Professors Perminder Sachdev and Henry Brodaty, the answer to the emerging dementia crisis is in implementing research to benefit all Australians and reduce the future cost and burden.
Personal stories from individuals as well as carers and family members also underscore the profound impact of brain disorders on individuals and their families.
“It terrifies me to think that what happened to my Mom, at such a young age, could eventually happen to me. But I don’t want to live my life in fear. Instead, I make healthy choices every day.” – CHeBA Ambassador Keri Kitay, author of The Long Goodbye and daughter of Terry Kitay, who was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s disease in her 50s.
“I woke up one morning with blurry vision in my right eye and knew something was wrong. I went to the emergency department, and within 10 minutes I was getting an MRI. Within half an hour, I found out I had brain tumours … To get that news, it felt like our whole life had stopped.” — Kylie McKiernan, 47
“My youngest child was just 10 months old when I was diagnosed with acoustic neuroma. I remember thinking, ‘am I ever going to see my kids grow up?’ … Health is now always at the front of my mind. If someone says, ‘Oh, I don’t feel well’, I make sure they go to the doctor, because I brushed my symptoms aside for so long. It’s so important to book those appointments that you don’t want to book, and take care of your medical needs.” — Rebecca Gauci, 33.
These stories are just a glimpse into the challenges faced by millions of Australians. During Brain Awareness Week (10-14 March 2025), the Brain Foundation is offering the opportunity to learn about brain health through a series of free, expert-led webinars. The week-long event aims to encourage proactive approaches to brain health, especially in light of rising rates of neurological disorders across the country.
The webinars will cover critical topics, including Brain Health & Dementia presented by CHeBA’s social health expert and Clinical Psychologist Dr Suraj Samtanti. Other topics include Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury, Sleep & Brain Health, and an interactive Migraine Q&A Session. Each session will feature a live Q&A, giving participants the chance to engage directly with leading experts on brain disorders and preventive strategies.
Event Details:
- What: Brain Awareness Week 2025
- When: 10-14 March 2025
- Where: Online webinars, accessible from anywhere
- Registration: Reserve your spot now at https://brainfoundation.org.au/