We know that so many of the conditions and diseases that we associate with ageing can often be prevented or in fact their onset delayed if we just took preventative steps earlier in our lives.

The Gillard government must give up its addiction to wasteful spending borrowing and taxing.

The message from the United States and Europe is that governments must live within their means.

We are increasingly recognising and accepting, respecting and celebrating, our cultural diversity.

Greater public recognition will also be critical in encouraging prevention and early intervention, and more generally in building public support to meet the challenges of dementia.

Prevention is one of the few known ways to reduce demand for health and aged care services.

Ageing means a loss of a number of skills over time.