Dementia is the second most feared condition among Australian health service consumers: results of a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Abstract Fear of disease may act as a barrier to screening or early diagnosis. This cross-sectional survey of 355 people attending outpatient clinics at one Australian hospital found that cancer (34%) and dementia (29%) were the most feared diseases. Participants aged 65 years and over feared dementia the most.

Keywords

• Dementia
• Fear
• Community awareness