Not everyone will get dementia, but everyone can reduce their risk. Find out what you can do.

Up to 40% of dementia cases may be prevented through lifestyle changes and we need your help!​


The ISLAND Project is an acronym for the Island Study Linking Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disease (ISLAND). ISLAND involves a range of studies and has two main aims. We want to understand who in Tasmania is at most risk of dementia, and what you can do to decrease your risk of dementia.

Who we are

We are part of The Wicking Dementia Centre and we undertake world leading dementia research. We have also developed the Preventing Dementia Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) island.mooc.utas.edu.au. This is a unique public health intervention. The course builds the skills and knowledge required for people to manage health factors that contribute to risk of dementia.

Wicking Dementia Centre


What we are doing

Although ageing is the largest risk factor for dementia, there are other risks. Research shows that 40% of cases may be prevented through lifestyle changes.

We are seeking to reduce the incidence of dementia in the population of Tasmania. If we can understand how to reduce the dementia risk of people in our State, then we can encourage the world to take on dementia risk reduction.



How you can help​

You can help us make a dent in dementia in Tasmania, and help Tasmania lead the world in preventing this life changing condition. ​

We want to:​

  • Sign up 20,000 Tasmanians over 50 years of age to be partners in this globally significant challenge.​
  • Shift dementia risk behaviours, and​
  • See whether this reduces the age-specific incidence of dementia in Tasmania.​

Anyone aged over 50 and living in Tasmania can join. Along the way, there will also be a range of optional research studies that ISLAND will be running. You can read more about these sub-studies, as well as our published research, here.

Please spread the word! Register your interest in the ISLAND Project by selecting the sign up button now. You can be involved in as little or as much as you like.​

Alternatively you can help Tasmania to lead the world in research on the cause, prevention, and care of dementia by donating to the project.