The unprecedented national push comes as experts warn almost half of dementia cases could potentially be prevented or delayed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time the Australian government has had proactive and targeted messaging to younger people to support them to invest in their brain health into the future,\u201d Aged Care and Seniors Minister Sam Rae told 7NEWS.<\/p>\n
The letter starts: \u201cSupport your health and reduce your dementia risk.\u201d<\/p>\n
It warns dementia can affect memory, thinking and mood, while telling Australians there are practical steps they can take to protect themselves.<\/p>\n
Those steps include staying active, eating a balanced diet, checking hearing and vision, looking after heart health, managing diabetes, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and remaining socially and mentally active.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/bd04ba729c18ba60982453e31a740e37243b514e.png\")
The letter Australians over the age of 50 will receive in the mail. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n
Recipients can also scan a QR code to calculate a personalised dementia risk score.<\/p>\n
\u201cFifty might seem young to start thinking about your brain health and avoiding dementia, but it\u2019s actually the perfect time to think about your long-term health and to take the steps that can avoid dementia into the future,\u201d Rae said.<\/p>\n
The issue has already been thrust into the spotlight by Australian actor Chris Hemsworth.<\/p>\n
The Hollywood star discovered while filming his National Geographic series Limitless that he carries a gene which increases his risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
He has since explored brain health further, including in a documentary with his father Craig, who has Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Leading cause of death <\/p>\n
The new campaign was co-designed with some of Australia\u2019s leading dementia experts, including 2026 Senior Australian of the Year Professor Henry Brodaty AO.<\/p>\n
He told 7NEWS that Australians have successfully changed their behaviour to reduce skin cancer and heart disease and brain health must now become the next major public health battle.<\/p>\n
\u201cForty-five per cent of the risk of dementia is caused by preventable factors that we can modify, we can do something about,\u201d Professor Brodaty told 7NEWS.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we could eliminate those 14 risk factors, we would eliminate half of dementia.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Chris](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/5b00c3e0005e63b8543504fdaf20a6d7a0b02940.jpg\")
Chris Hemsworth and his father Craig Hemsworth at a blessing in Bulman. Credit: Craig Parry\/National Geographic\/Craig Parry<\/p>\n
Almost half a million Australians are already living with dementia and it\u2019s now the country\u2019s leading cause of death after overtaking ischaemic heart disease in 2024.<\/p>\n
By 2065, the number is projected to reach 1.1 million.<\/p>\n
But Professor Brodaty believes that trajectory can be changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor every year we delay the onset there\u2019s 10 per cent fewer cases…If we could delay it till after we die, that would be perfect,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He wants the letters to be the first step in a much bigger prevention effort.<\/p>\n
Rae said he will see how successful the mail campaign is this year, before taking further action.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese public health campaigns are a critical way to educate people and to support people to take the relatively modest lifestyle changes that they can take to avoid dementia in the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
![\"2026](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3586b00ba620d340fa065214164e42828a69c917.png\")
2026 Senior Australian of the Year Professor Henry Brodaty AO with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n
\u201cI absolutely want to see us turn around the growth in people being diagnosed with dementia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peter\u2019s journey <\/p>\n
Retired police officer Peter Duclos was just 65 when he received his diagnosis of early-onset dementia in 2024.<\/p>\n
Initially, he waved away his symptoms as nothing too serious.<\/p>\n
But a feeling that something wasn\u2019t right took him to his GP, and then for an MRI and further testing.<\/p>\n
While his diagnosis was personally devastating, he is determined not to let the disease define him.<\/p>\n
![\"While](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1c17e17e9dde16207c9f771607570d394903076e.png\")
While his diagnosis was personally devastating, Peter is determined not to let the disease define him.\u00a0 Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n
He wants to help others be alert to the warning signs, and take what steps they can to avoid becoming another victim.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not going to achieve anything if you\u2019re worried about it and you don\u2019t do something about it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s never too late.\u201d<\/p>\n