As dementia becomes the leading cause of death in Australia, Brain Awareness Week 2026 (16–22 March) shines a national spotlight on prevention, equity and the urgent need to prioritise brain health across the lifespan.
The Brain Foundation is proud to host a free public webinar as part of Brain Awareness Week, featuring leading international researcher Associate Professor Susanne Röhr from UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA).
Free Webinar: Monday, 16 March 2026 - 12:00–1:00 pm AEDT
Topic: Lifestyle and Brain Health: What Makes a Difference - and When Choice Has Limits
Registration: Available via the Brain Foundation website
Associate Professor Röhr will examine the scientific evidence on protecting brain health, exploring modifiable risk factors for dementia while addressing the broader social determinants that influence an individual’s ability to make healthy lifestyle choices.
“Brain health is not only about personal responsibility,” Associate Professor Röhr said. “While we know that lifestyle factors matter, we must also recognise the social and structural conditions that shape people’s opportunities to reduce their risk. Achieving brain health equity requires both individual action and systemic change.”
Her presentation aligns closely with a powerful call to action issued this week by leading public health experts in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (ANZJPH), including Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan.
New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Bureau of Statistics show dementia has overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of death in Australia.
In 2026, an estimated 446,500 Australians are living with dementia. Without significant intervention, this number is projected to rise to more than one million by 2065.
Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty, Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), and 2026 Senior Australian of the Year, emphasised the importance of funding implementing a healthy brain promotion program. Prof. Brodaty‘s online Maintain Your Brain trial showed that it is possible to improve cognition in 55-77 year olds with a program that is cost-effective.
“We now know that lifestyle changes can reduce the risk or at least delay the onset of dementia and save money. It is a ‘Yes-Brainer’. The time has come for Australia to lead the way in promoting brain health,” said Prof. Brodaty.
Brain Awareness Week 2026 supports the need for research, emphasising that dementia prevention must be integrated into broader public health policy and community education.
The Brain Foundation encourages all Australians to participate in Brain Awareness Week and attend the free webinar to learn how evidence-based lifestyle changes - alongside systemic public health measures - can protect brain health across the lifespan.
To register for the free webinar on 16 March, visit the Brain Foundation website.
https://brainfoundation.org.au/brain-awareness-week/
About us:
www.cheba.unsw.edu.au
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