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Exploring the history: When did dementia in Australia start?

While dementia is not a new disease, the formal recognition and public response to it have evolved significantly. The prevalence of dementia in Australians aged 65 and over rose from 5.10% in 2015 to 5.23% in 2018, highlighting its growing impact. This complex history influences how we answer the question, when did dementia in Australia start, by examining the evolution of diagnosis, research, and policy.