Women's Brain Health for Life Consumer Advisory Group
The project
Dementia is the leading cause of death for Australian women, yet much of what we know about dementia risk does not adequately consider factors that are unique to women. Important life stages and health experiences, such as menopause, changes in hormones, and cardiovascular health, may play a key role in shaping women’s brain health and dementia risk, but these relationships are not well understood.
This research aims to improve understanding of why dementia disproportionately affects women by bringing together the best available evidence on women’s dementia risk across the life course. The research will also examine how menopause-related factors may influence dementia risk, with a particular focus on the roles of cardiovascular disease and hormone replacement therapy. Cardiovascular health is a well-established contributor to brain health, and hormonal changes during midlife may interact with cardiovascular risk in ways that affect the brain over time. Understanding these pathways is essential for identifying opportunities to reduce dementia risk in women.
Findings from this research will help inform future studies, prevention strategies, and public health approaches aimed at supporting women’s brain health. By improving understanding of female-specific risk factors and biological pathways, this work aims to contribute to more tailored, equitable approaches to dementia prevention and to support women in maintaining brain health as they age
The involvement opportunity
The research team is looking for five consumers aged between 45 and 65 years to form a Consumer Advisory Group (CAG). The CAG will be involved in co-design activities, including:
- Nominating sex-specific factors for inclusion in the research
- Reviewing and refining plain language summaries
- Advising on the interpretation of findings
- Contributing to disseminating the research findings
- A community-faced presentation
Skills and experience
The research team is looking for CAG members who will bring lived experience relevant to women’s brain health across midlife, including experiences of menopause, cardiovascular health, use or consideration of hormone therapy, and engagement with health services. It is a requirement to be residing in Western Australia.
CAG members do not require technical or research expertise; rather, their skills will include the ability to reflect on personal and family health experiences, consider the relevance of research questions to women’s lives, and provide clear, practical feedback on the interpretation and communication of findings.
Diverse backgrounds and perspectives will support inclusive, meaningful input across the research and dissemination process.
Other information
The CAG will be engaged over a nine-month period. Four formal meetings will be held, each approximately 60 minutes. Additional time commitment will be limited and flexible, involving occasional review of plain-language materials or written feedback between meetings as part of co-design and dissemination activities.
Meetings will be held online.
An honorarium of $100 per meeting will be offered.
Applications close 17 March 2026.