Antonia Clarke

This research explores the relationship between Place, Culture, and brain health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in rural and remote communities. By using yarning—an Indigenous storytelling method—as a key approach, the study engages community members and healthcare workers to examine how connections to Culture, Community, and Country influence healthy brain aging and dementia awareness(/care). The project addresses the disproportionate rates of dementia experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in rural areas, where access to specialist care is limited. Through collaborations with Aboriginal researchers and health services, and with guidance from an Aboriginal Reference Group, the study takes a holistic perspective, considering cultural, psychological, and socio-economic factors. 

The findings will guide the development of community-led, Place-based strategies to promote brain health, improve healthcare education, and contribute to a more responsive healthcare system. Ultimately, this research aims to broaden the focus of traditional biomedical models for dementia prevention and care to include culturally relevant solutions that address the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Antonia Clarke is a neurologist completing her cognitive fellowship at Box Hill Hospital in Melbourne alongside her work as a neurophysiologist in metropolitan and regional Victoria and the Northern Territory. She is in the second year of her PhD at Monash University, examining Place-based healthy brain ageing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.