Collaborating with Australian Indigenous communities: A protocol to address the high rates of dementia found in aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Abstract Background In Australia, Indigenous people aged 45 and over have three to five times higher risk of dementia than the wider community. Research shows that up to a third of dementia cases may be delayed by modifying lifestyle risk factors. Specific risk and protective factors contributing to the increased dementia risk in Indigenous communities require clarification as the first step towards developing culturally appropriate interventions. The aim of this paper is to outline a study protocol investigating whether potential protective factors identified in the wider population as supporting cognitive function in later life confer protection to Indigenous populations. Method This project will use a Participatory Action Research approach to enable communities to identify and prioritise dementia risk reduction strategies/potential risk and protective factors. Using a Continuous Quality Improvement Framework, primary health care centres will address modifiable dementia risk factors identified to change practice and systems through the development of culturally appropriate interventions. Results Resulting interventions will identify and address barriers and enablers unique to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Conclusion The outcome will be a culturally appropriate framework that incorporates evidence‐based best‐practice guidelines for delivering community specific interventions for risk reduction and prevention of dementia.