Does Watching TV Increase Dementia Risk?

By Robert Heyward

New research from the University of South Australia (UniSA) sheds light on the relationship between sedentary activities and cognitive health, revealing that the type of sedentary behaviour plays a significant role in maintaining brain function.

The study, which assessed the 24-hour activity patterns of 397 older adults aged 60 and above, underscores that not all sitting activities are equal when it comes to protecting cognitive abilities.

Which Activities Benefit Brain Health?

The findings reveal that sedentary activities involving mental stimulation or social engagement — such as reading, crafting, listening to music, praying, playing a musical instrument, or chatting with others — are beneficial for memory and thinking skills.

In contrast, passive behaviours like watching television or playing video games were found to have a detrimental effect on cognitive health.

According to researchers, there appears to be a hierarchy in how different sedentary activities impact the brain. Some activities support cognitive function, while others may increase the risk of decline. This insight is crucial, especially since approximately 45% of dementia cases are potentially preventable through modifiable lifestyle factors.

Why Context Matters

Dr. Maddison Mellow, a UniSA researcher, emphasised the importance of understanding the context of sedentary behaviours.

“We discovered that the context of an activity significantly influences how it relates to cognitive function. Activities that encourage mental stimulation or social interaction, such as reading or conversing with friends, are far more beneficial than passive activities like TV watching or gaming.”

While physical activity remains a top recommendation for reducing dementia risk, Dr. Mellow highlighted that even swapping one sedentary activity for a more engaging one could improve brain health.

“Our findings suggest a need for a more nuanced approach. For brain health, the message isn’t just about ‘moving more and sitting less’ — it’s about choosing activities that engage the mind and foster connection.”

How to Support Cognitive Health

Taking care of your brain doesn’t require drastic lifestyle changes. Small, intentional adjustments can have lasting benefits:

• Prioritise enjoyable physical activities: Regular movement that gets the heart rate up is highly protective for both brain and physical health.
• Make time swaps: Replace some passive activities with mentally or socially stimulating ones. For instance, swap an hour of TV for reading, crafting, or talking with a friend.
• Incorporate movement breaks: Even during a movie marathon or a gaming session, break up prolonged sitting with five-minute stretches or short bursts of physical activity.

“Every small change counts,” Dr. Mellow advised. “Even minor shifts, like choosing a book over binge-watching, can build healthier habits over time.”

Building a Cognitive Health Routine

With dementia risks largely influenced by lifestyle choices, integrating stimulating sedentary activities and regular physical movement into daily life can offer powerful protection against cognitive decline.

While it’s clear that physical activity remains the gold standard for brain health, this research highlights a key takeaway: not all sitting is bad, but the type of sedentary activity matters.

By making thoughtful choices in how we spend our time, we can nurture both mind and body, reducing the risk of dementia and fostering long-term well-being.

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Dementia Risk: It’s More Than Genetics

By Robert Heyward

A groundbreaking study from UNSW reveals that social factors play a crucial role in determining dementia risk, highlighting the need to look beyond genetics and lifestyle when addressing cognitive health.

According to Dementia Australia, over 421,000 Australians are currently living with dementia, a figure projected to more than double to 812,500 by 2054. As dementia is set to become the nation’s leading cause of death, the study underscores the importance of considering social determinants as part of comprehensive prevention strategies.

The Role of Social Factors in Dementia Risk

Published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, the UNSW study identifies key social determinants — including marital status, living arrangements, income, and education — as critical influences on dementia risk.

“We’ve long known that lifestyle factors like a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking reduce dementia risk. But our findings reveal that social factors are just as important,” said Associate Professor Katja Hanewald of UNSW Business School.

The Poly Social Risk Score: Measuring Social Risk

To better understand the impact of social factors, the research team developed a ‘poly social risk score’, which aggregates 19 social determinants of health across five domains:

• Economic stability
• Education
• Healthcare access
• Neighborhood environment
• Social context

“The score ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater social risk,” explained Shu Chen, the lead researcher and a UNSW Business School Scientia PhD graduate.

This innovative tool could help businesses and healthcare providers identify individuals or groups at higher risk of dementia, enabling tailored interventions that address specific social challenges.

Key Social Determinants of Dementia Risk

The study, which analysed long-term data from older adults, highlights the profound impact of social factors on cognitive health:

1. Marital Status: Being married or in a partnership offers emotional and social support that can reduce stress and promote mental wellbeing. “This support helps lower dementia risk by reducing stress and fostering mental health,” said Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty, from UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing.
2. Living Arrangements: Older adults living alone or experiencing social isolation often lack the interactions essential for cognitive health, increasing their risk of dementia.
3. Income: Higher household income is linked to better access to healthcare, healthier living conditions, and lower levels of chronic stress, all of which reduce dementia risk.
4. Education: Greater levels of education build cognitive reserve, enhancing the brain’s ability to resist damage and delay dementia symptoms.

Implications for Businesses and Society

The findings carry significant implications for businesses, especially those in healthcare, wellness, and employee wellbeing sectors.

“Reducing dementia risk benefits not just individuals but also businesses,” said Hanewald. “It leads to lower healthcare costs, reduced absenteeism, and higher workforce productivity.”

To address these social determinants, companies are encouraged to:

• Foster social interaction through team-building activities, social clubs, and community service projects.
• Integrate social support into wellness programs alongside physical health initiatives.
• Develop tailored services, like affordable healthcare packages or retirement plans, to enhance economic stability for aging populations.

“By improving social factors in workplaces, businesses can help aging populations while also enhancing employee wellbeing and economic outcomes,” Hanewald added.

For society as a whole, these interventions could alleviate pressure on healthcare systems, reduce the need for long-term care, and enhance the quality of life for older adults.

Social Connections and Daily Choices: A Brain’s Best Defence

While genetics and environment play a role, the study emphasises the power of daily habits and social connections in maintaining brain health.

“Our research uncovers a powerful insight: your social connections and daily habits could be your brain’s best defence against dementia,” said Professor Brodaty.

Simple steps, like staying socially active and nurturing meaningful relationships, can significantly lower dementia risk, even in challenging circumstances.

By focusing on both lifestyle and social determinants, individuals, businesses, and society can build a more supportive and proactive approach to cognitive health.

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Permanent BreastScreen NSW Van Returns to North Coast Fleet

By Jeff Gibbs

A newly commissioned BreastScreen NSW screening van is set to rejoin the North Coast fleet, providing vital mobile mammography services for women across the North and Mid North Coast regions. This van replaces a temporary vehicle loaned after the original mobile clinic was destroyed in the devastating February 2022 floods.

Equipped with state-of-the-art mammography technology, the van ensures women in these communities have continued access to life-saving breast cancer screening closer to home.

A Unique Design with Cultural Significance

The new vehicle features ‘Biyani’, a specially commissioned Aboriginal artwork by Jasmine Sarin, a proud Kamilaroi and Jerrinja woman. The artwork’s name, a Dharawal word, reflects a healing practice performed by women for other women, symbolising the van’s purpose to protect and support women’s health.

Access to Essential Screening Services

For women aged 50–74, regular mammograms every two years are the best way to detect breast cancer early, improving survival rates and reducing the need for invasive treatments. Aboriginal women are encouraged to screen from age 40 every two years.

Each year, around 34,000 women rely on BreastScreen services across the North and Mid North Coast, with the two mobile vans providing a lifeline for those unable to travel to fixed clinics.

To book a free mammogram, women can call 13 20 50 or visit BreastScreen NSW Online Booking.

Expert Perspectives

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park: “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with age and being female the biggest risk factors—not family history. Early detection is key, and a mammogram is one of the most important things women aged 50–74 can do for their health.”

Emily Suvaal MLC, Labor Spokesperson for Ballina: “This van ensures continuity of breast screening services for thousands of women in the North and Mid North Coasts. I urge women due for a breast screen to prioritize their health. It’s quick, easy, and could save your life.”

Professor Tracey O’Brien AM, NSW Chief Cancer Officer: “More than 6,500 women in NSW are expected to receive a breast cancer diagnosis this year, and 1,000 women are expected to lose their lives. We must support all women, regardless of location, to access potentially life-saving screenings.”

Patrick Magee, Acting Director of BreastScreen NSW North Coast: “Detecting breast cancer early improves survival rates and reduces the likelihood of invasive treatments like chemotherapy or mastectomy. This van is a critical resource in delivering care to our communities.”

A Call to Action

Women noticing changes in their breasts, such as lumps, are advised to see their GP immediately. Those with a family history of breast cancer should discuss personalised screening needs with their doctor.

The return of the permanent mobile screening van marks a significant step in ensuring equitable healthcare access, empowering women to take proactive steps for their health, and saving lives across the North Coast.

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Northern NSW Hospitals Manage Record Activity in Late Winter with Improved Performance

By Ian Rogers

The Northern NSW Hospitals Local Health District (NNSWLHD) reported record-high activity levels during the July–September 2024 quarter, driven by increasing demand for emergency and planned healthcare services. The Bureau of Health Information (BHI) Healthcare Quarterly report highlights notable achievements across the district’s hospitals, including improved planned surgery performance and above-average emergency department (ED) metrics.

Planned Surgery: Significant Progress

Despite high activity, NNSWLHD demonstrated impressive progress in delivering planned surgeries:

• Volume of Procedures: A total of 3,572 planned procedures were performed, marking a substantial improvement in efficiency.
• Timeliness of Surgeries:
  • 85.4% of surgeries completed on time, an 8.2 percentage point improvement compared to the same period in 2023 (77.2%).
  • Median waiting times decreased in semi-urgent and non-urgent categories and remained stable for urgent cases.
• Waitlist Reduction:
  • At the end of the quarter, only 232 patients were waiting longer than clinically recommended, a 67% reduction compared to September 2023 (709 patients).
• Patient Guidance: Patients whose conditions deteriorate while awaiting surgery are urged to contact their treating doctors for a review and possible reclassification to a higher urgency category.

Emergency Department (ED) Activity: Record Numbers

The quarter saw unprecedented demand for emergency services across the district:

• Emergency Attendances:
  • 56,041 ED visits, a 3.4% increase (1,840 additional attendances) compared to the same period in 2023, marking the busiest July–September quarter ever recorded.
• Ambulance Arrivals:
  • 9,775 ambulance arrivals, up 6.4% (585 additional arrivals) from 2023, setting a new record.

Key Metrics Exceeding NSW Averages:

1. Timeliness of Treatment:
   • 69.5% of patients started treatment on time, outperforming the NSW average (61.3%).
2. Ambulance Transfer Benchmarks:
   • 80.7% of patients transferred to ED staff within 30 minutes, above the state average of 77.5%.
3. Timely Discharge:
   • 71% of patients left the ED within four hours, significantly higher than the state average (54.7%).

Addressing High Demand Through Innovation

NNSWLHD is employing alternative strategies to alleviate pressure on EDs:

• Hospital in the Home: Integrating this service with community nursing to expand out-of-hospital care capacity.
• HealthDirect Support: Residents are encouraged to use HealthDirect (1800 022 222) for expert advice, including video consultations, clinic bookings, or guidance to appropriate healthcare services.
• Guidance for Non-Urgent Cases: For non-life-threatening issues such as sprains, nausea, or minor injuries, residents can avoid ED wait times by contacting HealthDirect or visiting urgent care clinics.

Individual Hospital Performance Details

1. Ballina District Hospital:

• ED visits: 4,635 (+6.7%, 290 additional attendances).
• 62.1% of patients started treatment on time.
• 74% left ED within four hours.
• 87.1% transferred from ambulance to ED staff within 30 minutes (+3.7 percentage points from 2023).

2. Byron Central Hospital:

• ED visits: 5,354 (+1.8%, 95 additional attendances).
• 85% started treatment on time, exceeding similar hospitals (77.3%).
• 81.5% left ED within four hours.
• 93.4% transferred from ambulance within 30 minutes, aligning with comparable hospitals.

3. Casino & District Memorial Hospital:

• ED visits: 3,456 (+7.4%, 237 additional attendances).
• 59.8% started treatment on time.
• 84% left ED within four hours.
• 93.5% ambulance transfer success.

4. Grafton Base Hospital:

• ED visits: 7,023 (+4.4%, 293 additional attendances).
• 56.3% started treatment on time.
• 69.6% left ED within four hours, exceeding similar hospitals (59.0%).
• 87.7% ambulance transfer success (+4.7 percentage points from 2023).

5. Lismore Base Hospital:

• ED visits: 10,046 (highest in the district).
• 51.3% started treatment on time.
• 50.6% left ED within four hours, above similar hospitals (48.7%).
• 66.6% ambulance transfer success.

6. Maclean District Hospital:

• ED visits: 4,073 (+7.5%, 283 additional attendances).
• 75.5% started treatment on time.
• 86.2% left ED within four hours.
• 93.9% ambulance transfer success.

7. Murwillumbah District Hospital:

• ED visits: 5,089 (+5.7%, 275 additional attendances).
• 80.7% started treatment on time, well above similar hospitals (65.4%).
• 85.1% left ED within four hours.
• 89.7% ambulance transfer success.

8. Tweed Valley Hospital:

• ED visits: 14,138 (highest in the region).
• 79.1% started treatment on time, surpassing comparable hospitals (53.7%).
• 66.1% left ED within four hours, better than similar hospitals (48.7%).
• 84.3% ambulance transfer success, exceeding similar hospitals (75.0%).

A Commitment to Excellence

Despite record demand, NNSWLHD Northern NSW hospitals consistently outperformed state averages in critical areas. By combining innovative care models and exceptional staff dedication, the district continues to deliver timely and effective healthcare to its growing communities.

For non-urgent cases, residents are encouraged to explore alternative healthcare services to reduce ED congestion and ensure timely care for those in critical need.

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NSW Government Funds Cutting-Edge Research to Combat Legionnaires’ Disease

By Ian Rogers

The NSW Government has granted $500,000 to NSW Health Pathology at Westmead Hospital to support groundbreaking research aimed at enhancing the detection and response to Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks.

Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with legionella bacteria. A key source of these bacteria is cooling water systems in air conditioning units. Under the Public Health Regulation 2022, these systems must be safely managed to prevent bacterial growth and transmission.

Identifying the exact source of a legionella outbreak can be challenging. Contamination in cooling systems is often brief, and fine water droplets carrying bacteria can infect nearby individuals or contaminate adjacent systems, complicating the tracing process.

NSW Health Pathology will use the grant to develop a genomic surveillance system that will significantly streamline the process of matching samples and identifying outbreak sources. By integrating genomics technology with existing public health and environmental surveillance, the research aims to reduce the time needed to confirm clusters of legionellosis and uncover links between cases that might otherwise go undetected.

Dr Eby Sim (left) and Professor Vitali Sintchenko

The project will be conducted at the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research at Westmead, under the leadership of Professor Vitali Sintchenko (NSW Health Pathology and Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute) and Dr. Eby Sim (University of Sydney’s School of Medical Sciences).

The research team is collaborating with Health Protection NSW and Public Health Units in the Western Sydney and South Eastern Sydney Local Health Districts to ensure a coordinated approach to tackling this public health issue.

For more information on Legionnaires’ disease, visit the NSW Health fact sheet.

Minister for Medical Research David Harris said:

“There have been several large outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in Sydney in the past few years, and the community stands to benefit from innovative new tools to help control outbreaks.

“If successful, this research will enable public health authorities to confirm clusters of cases sooner, potentially helping them identify the source of infection and prevent further spread in the community.”

University of Sydney Professor Vitali Sintchenko said:

“This collaborative project is going to use clever genomics that can collect information directly from respiratory samples without the need to grow bacteria in the lab. This will increase the number of relevant cases that can be investigated.”

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