Individual and Community Approaches to Dementia Prevention unit (CAD207)

Introduction

Dementia is one of the most significant public health challenges worldwide. As populations age and the number of people living with dementia continues to grow, the need for effective prevention strategies becomes increasingly urgent. With no cure in sight, this unit introduces you to dementia prevention as a life-course, public health issue focused on reducing modifiable risks, promoting brain health, and delaying the onset of dementia at both individual and population levels. In this unit, you will explore the evidence underpinning modifiable lifestyle factors that influence brain health and dementia risk. You will examine how individual behaviours interact with broader social determinants of health to shape outcomes across the lifespan. Through an applied focus on behaviour change, risk reduction, and health promotion strategies, you will learn how individual and community-level interventions can contribute to reducing dementia risk. By developing these capabilities, you will be better equipped to support individuals and communities to adopt sustainable, health-enhancing behaviours, contributing to improved brain health and reduced dementia risk across populations.  

Students with an interest or background in health, ageing, dementia, or community work will be well prepared for this unit. To ensure everyone begins with a strong foundation, preparatory learning materials will be provided during orientation week. 

Summary

Unit name	Individual and Community Approaches to Dementia Prevention
Unit code	CAD207
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre
Discipline	Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre
Coordinator	Associate Professor Alison Canty
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the risk and protective factors related to dementia
• Examine individual and social determinants of health from a dementia risk perspective
• Apply principles and strategies of health promotion to a dementia prevention context

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

25 credit points at 100 level

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Online Learning – approx. 10 hours per week
Assessment	Interactive Oral Assessment (30%)|Case study (35%)|Written Assignment (35%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.