Health

A major Australian study has found that a tailored online program is helping older Australians significantly reduce risky alcohol consumption, offering hope for better long-term health outcomes and potentially lowering dementia risk.

Researchers from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW Sydney and the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney led the national trial, which has now been published in The Lancet Public Health.

The study focused on Australians aged between 60 and 75 and tested an online self-help program called Rethink My Drink. The program was specifically designed for older adults and aimed to reduce harmful drinking habits through easy-to-follow online modules.

Researchers say the results were extremely encouraging.

Participants who completed the program reduced their alcohol intake by an average of more than 36 drinks per month over a 12-month period. Compared with the control group, participants consumed around five fewer standard drinks per month on average a reduction researchers say is significant at a population level.

Dr Louise Mewton, who led the research, said risky drinking among older Australians is becoming an increasing concern.

“High-risk alcohol use in older adults is increasing, but there are few effective treatments tailored to this life stage, despite clear links with serious health conditions like dementia,” Dr Mewton said.

National figures show almost one in five Australians in their 60s drink above recommended guidelines. Health experts warn this places them at greater risk of serious conditions including liver disease, cancer and dementia.

Alcohol use disorders have been linked to more than a threefold increase in dementia risk, making alcohol one of the most important modifiable lifestyle factors for protecting brain health later in life.

The Rethink My Drink program was developed with direct input from older Australians to ensure the content was relevant, practical and easy to use. The four-module course mimics the support and strategies a person may receive during therapy sessions with a clinician.

Because the program is delivered entirely online, researchers say it has enormous potential to reach people in rural and regional areas where access to specialist support may be limited.

The study involved 888 participants from across Australia and also explored whether reducing alcohol intake could improve cognitive function. While participants showed improvements in thinking and memory over time, researchers say larger studies are needed to confirm whether the program directly improves brain function.

Dr Mewton said the online approach provides a low-cost and highly accessible option for older adults wanting to improve their health.

“Rethink My Drink is ready for large-scale dissemination among older adults in the community and has the potential for substantial beneficial effects on alcohol-related burden of disease in older adults,” she said.

UNSW co-author Professor Perminder Sachdev AM said the findings highlight the important role digital health programs can play in reducing dementia risk across the population.

“This study shows that scalable digital programs can help address one of the most important modifiable risk factors for dementia at a population level,” Professor Sachdev said.