CHeBA Lockdown Challenge During September – World Alzheimer’s Month - CHeBA staff and students united virtually to clock more than 10,000 kilometres from London to the Himalayas to promote the significance of social connectedness and physical health during Sydney’s lockdown. The ambitious distance was a tribute to CHeBA’s leaders, Professor Henry Brodaty AO and Professor Perminder Sachdev AM. As a young 26-year old, Co-Director Henry Brodaty chose to study in London for his specialist
training in psychiatry and as such, his first job as a psychiatry trainee was in the Academic Department of Psychiatry, Middlesex Hospital. Co-Director Perminder Sachdev completed his schooling at St Luke’s School in Solan, just 1,000kms away from Kathmandu where the Lockdown Challenge concluded. The CHeBA Lockdown Challenge raised close to $7,500 to support research not only into early diagnosis, treatment and care for those with dementia, but also its prevention, and the promotion of positive ageing for the future.
CHeBA in the Media 2021 was a prominent year for CHeBA, with a number of high-profile media stories featuring our research. More than 400 articles were printed online, with more than 30 radio interviews covering CHeBA’s research. Significant highlights included coverage of the Older Australian Twins Study coordinated by Dr Vibeke Catts and the Rethink My Drink Study led by Dr Louise Mewton, both in print and on television nationally. Dr Katya Numbers and Professor Henry Brodaty’s opinion, Effect of COVID-19 Greatest on People Living With Dementia, published in Nature Reviews Neurology, was publicised nationally in many reputable media outlets.
In addition to specific study outcomes and research project launches, CHeBA’s researchers were sought regularly for expert comments on radio, in print and on television.
Dr Vibeke Catts
In a year where the importance of social connectedness was consistently recognised, Channel 7 interviewed our resident expert, Dr Suraj Samtani - Leader of CHeBA’s SHARED project. The launch of Change Makers – Next Gen Philanthropy also attracted national attention, with Channel 7 highlighting the innovative program in a dementia feature during peak-time news coverage.
Dr Lousie Mewton
Our Community | 51
