Professor Rita Krishnamurthi
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School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology New Zealand

Rita is a Professor in the School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology New Zealand (NZ). Rita has a background in neuroscience but developed as public health researcher upon joining AUT. She is the Deputy Director of the National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences at AUT. Rita is currently involved in several research projects focused on stroke and dementia epidemiology. She is a co-director of the Auckland Regional Community Stroke Studies (ARCOS), one of the largest epidemiological studies of stroke and transient ischaemic attack globally, PI of a current randomised controlled trial evaluating health and wellness coaching for secondary stroke prevention, PI of a randomised controlled trial investigating digital technologies in secondary stroke prevention, PI of an adaptation study for adapting Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Chinese and Indian communities is in New Zealand, NI in a Programme for measuring dementia prevalence, and co-creating solutions in New Zealand, investigator in the Digital Solutions for Brain Health programme, as well as a member of the Global Burden of Disease Project Stroke expert panel.

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Cultural Perspectives in Dementia: Indian Perspectives
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Dementia prevalence in Aotearoa New Zealand is projected to double by 2040, with particularly sharp increases among ethnically diverse populations. The Indian community is one of the fastest-growing ageing populations in New Zealand, and the prevalence of dementia within this group is expected to triple. Despite this projected growth, Indian communities remain significantly under-represented in dementia-related health and support services.
Current data on the impact of dementia in the Indian community in New Zealand is limited. Our previous research in the NZ Indian community has shown that understanding of dementia within this community is often limited, with many perceiving it as a normal part of aging. Dementia has a profound impact on individuals and families, particularly in relation to stigma, loss of independence, and reduced social engagement. There is a clear need for more culturally tailored strategies to raise awareness, promote prevention, and improve access to appropriate healthcare and social support services for Indian communities. Notably, there is no culturally adapted psychological treatment tool available for Indian people living with dementia in New Zealand. In response, we recently completed a project adapting Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) for Indian individuals with mild to moderate dementia. I will present updates from this project, along with preliminary findings from an ongoing study measuring the prevalence of dementia across New Zealand, including within the Indian community.
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