Journal article
Prevalence of dementia in the Torres Strait
SG Russell, R Quigley, F Thompson, B Sagigi, D LoGiudice, K Smith, N Pachana, G Miller, E Strivens
Australasian Journal on Ageing | WILEY | Published : 2021
DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12878
Abstract
Objective: To examine the prevalence of dementia and problems associated with ageing in the Torres Strait. Methods: The study was conducted across all 18 island and 5 mainland communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area of Far North Queensland. Participants underwent a comprehensive health assessment and a Geriatrician assessment, which were used to establish consensus diagnoses. Results: A total of 276 Torres Strait residents aged between 45 and 93 participated in the study. The prevalence of dementia in the sample was 14.2%, which was 2.87 times higher than the wider Australian population. Conclusion: Torres Strait Islander peoples share the increased risk of dementia seen..
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Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the residents of the Torres Strait who participated in this study and the staff at the primary health centres without whom the study would never have been completed. The team also wish to thank the members of the Key Stakeholder Working Group for their cultural guidance and expertise throughout the study. The project was funded by a three-year NHMRC project grant (APP. 1106175).