The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released today highlights the urgent reality of dementia in Australia, showing that dementia is set to become the country’s leading cause of death.
In 2023, dementia was responsible for 9.1 percent of all deaths, just behind ischemic heart disease at 9.2 percent. Dementia remains the leading cause of death for Australian women, accounting for 12.2 percent of all female deaths and 6.4 percent of male deaths.
The figures also show that dementia is now the leading cause of death in South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and, for the first time, in New South Wales.
Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia, said that given that there is no cure for dementia and the community’s poor understanding of the terminal nature of the disease, the ABS data reinforces the urgent need for a public health approach to tackling it reduce – or prevent – the risk of developing dementia. dementia.
This call is supported by the Lancet Commission’s 2024 update on the prevention, treatment and care of dementia, which reports that almost half of dementia cases worldwide could be prevented or delayed.”
Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO, Dementia Australia
“There are currently an estimated 421,000 Australians living with dementia and without significant intervention this number is expected to increase to more than 812,500 by 2054.
“With dementia closing in on becoming the leading cause of death among Australians, it is critical that we act now to focus on the nation’s brain health and provide more targeted, effective support to those affected by dementia . By taking this dual approach, we can ensure that we work to reduce the impact of dementia in the future.
“Australians currently affected by dementia can now access support by contacting the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”