Prof. Wilf Yeo, Prof. Jan Potter, Ms. Kelly Andrews and Prof. Sandra Jones at the campaign's launch.
Campaign Launch
On March 30, Healthy Heart Healthy Mind kick started their dementia risk reduction campaign with an official launch at the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute at the University of Wollongong. The aim of the event was to publicly launch the project and highlight the key message – that high blood pressure increases the risk of dementia. The launch was attended by community members, health consumer groups, researchers and clinicians.
Community Forums
Healthy Heart Healthy Mind will be conducting free community forums about dementia risk reduction, blood pressure and blood pressure management strategies. Forums will include verbal presentations, different forms of written information as well as the opportunity to have your blood pressure checked.
| Date | Time | Venue |
| Sat 30th April | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm | Illawarra Retirement Expo, Kembla Grange Racecourse |
| Mon 9th May | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Thirroul District Library |
| Tue 24th May | 9:20 am - 12:30 pm | Shoalhaven Library |
| Mon 30th May | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Warrawong District Library |
| Mon 20th June | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Central Wollongong Library |
| Fri 8th July | 9:30 am - 12:30 pm | Shoalhaven Library |
| Mon 18th July | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Corrimal District Library |
| Mon 8th August | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Dapto District Library |
Julie Errey from Kiama Council has her blood pressure checked at Kiama Leisure Centre
Blood Pressure Checking Stations
Did you know that most people do not suffer any symptoms when they have high blood pressure? You may feel perfectly well and have no warning signs. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked.
Healthy Heart Healthy Mind is conducting free blood pressure checks in your local area, so keep an eye out for them and don't be afraid to learn more about how to keep your blood pressure healthy.
| Date | Time | Venue |
| Fri 25th March | 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong | Sat 16th April | 9:45 am - 2:15 pm | Shellharbour Bunnings |
| Sat 30th April | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Kembla Grange Racecourse (Retirement Expo) |
| Wed 4th May | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Dapto Ribbonwood Centre |
| Fri 6th May | 9:30 am - 2:30 pm | Warrawong Bunnings |
| Sat 7th May | 9:30 am - 2:30 pm | Warrawong Bunnings |
| Mon 9th May | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Thirroul Library |
| Thu 12th May | 9:30 am - 3:30 pm | Westfield Figtree |
| Sat 14th May | 9:45 am - 2:15 pm | Shellharbour Bunnings |
| Sat 21st May | 9:45 am - 2:15 pm | Shellharbour Bunnings |
| Mon 30th May | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Warrawong Library |
| Sat 4th June | 9:45 am - 2:15 pm | Shellharbour Bunnings |
| Thu 9th June | 9:30 am - 3:30 pm | Westfield Figtree |
| Sat 18th June | 9:45 am - 2:15 pm | Shellharbour Bunnings |
| Mon 20th June | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Wollongong Library |
| Thu 7th July | 9:30 am - 3:30 pm | Westfield Figtree |
| Fri 8th July | 9:30 am - 12:30 pm | Shoalhaven Library |
| Sat 9th July | 9:45 am - 2:15 pm | Shellharbour Bunnings |
| Mon 18th July | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Corrimal Library |
| Mon 8th August | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Dapto Library |
Sonki Unhelkar and Jessica Ianella take blood pressures to raise awareness of the link between hypertension and dementia
Getting the message out in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven
Healthy Heart Healthy Mind is committed to letting the community know that having high blood pressure in mid-life (40 - 64 years) can increase the risk of developing dementia in later life. To ensure that Illawarra and Shoalhaven residents receives this health message, the Healthy Heart Healthy Mind campaign is working with local organisations and local media to raise public awareness.
If you would like a speaker to address your local community group, committee, sporting or parent group, please email Kelly Andrews on kelly.andrews@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
