Impacts of the National Your Brain Matters Dementia Risk Reduction Campaign in Australia Over 2 Years.

BACKGROUND: The number of people living with dementia is rising globally due to population aging. Mass media campaigns which aim to reduce the risk of people developing dementia have been conducted across many countries, but few have reported evaluation findings. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the impact of the Your Brain Matters dementia risk reduction campaign in Australia. METHODS: The campaign was evaluated by observational cross-sectional surveys of 1000 Australian adults aged 18-75 years before and 24 months after delivery. The national campaign utilized multiple media channels to promote messages about the importance of brain health and reducing the risk of dementia. Dementia risk reduction knowledge, confidence, intentions and actions were measured at baseline and follow-up, and analyzed 2019-2020. RESULTS: Earned television and radio were the most common exposure channels. The proportion of people who understood that it is beneficial to take action to reduce dementia risk before middle age increased (54.1% to 59.4%, OR 1.20 95% CI: 1.01-1.44). There was also an increase (28.5% to 32.8%, OR 1.30, 95% CI: 1.07-1.59) in the proportion who reported taking action to improve brain health. There was no improvement in knowledge about vascular risk factors, or confidence to reduce personal dementia risk. CONCLUSION: The findings showed some receptivity and positive responses to messages about the benefits of taking action to reduce the risk of dementia. The campaign demonstrated the potential for generating news coverage about this issue, which should highlight the preventive benefits of vascular health behaviors.

A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the 10-Valent Pneumococcal Non-Typeable Haemophilus influenzae Protein D Conjugate Vaccine (PHiD-CV) Compared to the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) for Universal Mass Vaccination Implementation in New Zealand.

OBJECTIVES: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), pneumonia and acute otitis media (AOM) still represent a significant medical burden in children < 5 years of age in New Zealand (NZ), with marked disparities across socio-economic and ethnic groups. This cost-effectiveness evaluation aims to compare the potential impact of two childhood universal immunisation strategies: vaccination with a 3 + 1 schedule of the 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV, Synflorix, GSK) and the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, Prevenar 13, Pfizer). METHODS: A static Markov-process cohort model was used to simulate the epidemiological and economic burden of pneumococcal diseases on a single-birth cohort over its lifetime. Costs and outcomes were discounted annually at 3.5%. Epidemiological and cost inputs were extracted from the most recently available NZ data, or derived from the most relevant reference countries' sources. The most updated evidence on the efficacies of the corresponding vaccines were used, particularly the significant effectiveness for PHiD-CV against IPD caused by serotype 19A. RESULTS: The model estimated that both vaccines have a broadly comparable impact on IPD-related diseases and pneumonia. Due to the additional benefits possible through broader impact on AOM, PHiD-CV is estimated to potentially provide additional discounted cost offsets of approximately NZD 0.8 million over the lifetime of the birth cohort. CONCLUSIONS: To ensure health equity in children, given the substantial burden of pneumonia and AOM, decision-makers should also take into account the impact of PCVs on these diseases for decisions relating to routine infant immunization. GSK STUDY IDENTIFIER: HO-15-16775.

Multiprofessional follow up of patients after subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening illness that affects people suddenly and without warning. Previous research has estimated that only 7% of SAH survivors suffer physical deficits (Stegan and Freckmann, 1991), whereas two-thirds of those classed as having made a good recovery actually experience a range of debilitating cognitive or emotional difficulties (Bindschaedler et al, 1997); Buchanan et al, 2000). At Hope Hospitals, a structures system was set up to help support the survivors of SAH through follow-up via the neurovascular team providing patients with information, guidance and early intervention including screening for potential cognitive and emotional difficulties and fast-track referral to neuropsychology services. Behavioural indices demonstrated that patients experienced a range of difficulties in everyday functioning such as problems that prevent a return to work and excessive fatigue, among others. Although this innovative system does address follow-up need, improvements could be made to ensure that all patients receive an equitable service.