Bupa Health Foundation’s partnership with the Brain and Mind Research Institute to study the beneficial effects of fish oil on older Australians is just one example of how we’re investing in a range of initiatives that have the potential to make a real impact on advancing health in Australia.
Older Australians are at risk of depression as a result of genetic, lifestyle, health, social and other factors. Late-life depression is found in between 9-18% of older Australians.
Bupa Health Foundation, a charitable body funded by Bupa, is proud to partner with the Brain and Mind Research Institute at the University of Sydney to improve our understanding of the long-neglected area of prevention of depression in older adults.
The study represents an opportunity to test the potential of fish oil, a low-cost and low-risk dietary supplement, to reduce depression and improve the quality of life for older adults.
If the fish oil used in this trial is found to be effective in preventing or reducing symptoms of depression and decline in brain function for older people, this preventive treatment has the potential to be delivered to the larger population and could form part of health promotion and disease prevention programs in the future.
Depression is an extremely complex condition that can be treated in a number of different ways –including psychological therapy, medication, and exercise. Bupa works with a number of organisations, such as Beyond Blue and Lifeline, to make people aware of the importance of this issue and to encourage good mental health. And the Bupa Health Foundation has also partnered with Headspace to help support young people who experience mental health problems.
Read about Bupa's other health initiatives
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