Our Purpose

We are committed to reducing dementia incidence and impact on our state. We will inform and empower the Tasmanian community to self-manage known modifiable risk factors for dementia and make positive changes to their health and wellbeing that will reduce the incidence and impact of dementia over time. Our objectives are:


1

Establish the infrastructure and capacity for dementia research across Tasmania

2

Build awareness of dementia and its risk factors within the Tasmanian population

3

Undertake a community engaged public health program as a partnership to reduce dementia risk, and hence the age specific incidence of dementia across Tasmania

4

Develop a range of partnerships to help drive our objectives

Our Vision


To reduce the incidence of dementia and the rates of modifiable risk factors for dementia in the Tasmanian population.

Our Mission


To be recognised globally as the organisation that excels in the provision of dementia education and prevention programs that inspire and support healthier and more informed communities.

The Need for Action

Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia and is estimated to cost $26 billion by 2056. Tasmania’s population is ageing faster than the national average and has high rates of known modifiable risk factors. Realistic reductions in these modifiable risk factors would have obvious, positive impact across the Tasmanian population, for our society and for our health system. Creating a state with a focus on good brain health and reduced risk of dementia is the driving motivation behind the ISLAND Study.

The ISLAND Methodology

Provide educational programs to build knowledge and understanding of dementia within the community.
Develop and deliver community co-developed and led programs targeting dementia reduction strategies.
Assess the effectiveness of educational and community interventions at reducing the rates of modifiable risk factors for dementia across the Tasmanian community.
Recruit a cohort of more than 20,000 older Tasmanians who will 'participate as partners' in building their own resilience and disseminating risk behaviours messages to the wide community.