10 months ago
Dementia Surpasses Heart Disease as Australia's Top Cause of Death
Imagine the number of people who pass away each year.
For a long time, a sickness that affects the heart was the main reason people died in Australia.
But in 2024, a different illness, called dementia, took over as the top cause of death.
Dementia affects a person's brain and memory.
More people are dying from dementia now than ever before, especially those who are 75 years old or older.
It's also seen more often in women.
Many people who died from dementia also had other health issues like heart problems.
Scientists think even more people will get dementia in the future.
Dementia has become Australia's leading cause of death in 2024, overtaking ischaemic heart disease for the first time.
A total of 17,549 dementia-related deaths were recorded in Australia in 2024, a rise of over 160% since 2006.
Over 85% of dementia deaths in 2024 occurred in individuals aged 75 and above.
Women account for nearly 62.4% of dementia-related deaths, with dementia being the leading cause of death for Australian women since 2016.
Ischaemic heart disease followed dementia as the second-highest cause of death, with over 16,000 fatalities.
- Who
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- What
- Dementia has become the leading cause of death in Australia, surpassing ischaemic heart disease.
- Where
- Australia
- When
- 2024
- Why
- Increase in dementia-related deaths, particularly in older age groups and among women, though specific causes for the overall rise are not detailed beyond demographic factors.
Key facts
- Leading Cause of Death (2024)
- Dementia
- Dementia Deaths (2024)
- 17,549
- Percentage of Total Deaths (Dementia)
- 9.5%
- Increase in Dementia Deaths (2006-2024)
- Over 160%
- Dementia Deaths in 75+ Age Group
- 16,620 (85.2% of dementia deaths)
- Dementia Deaths by Gender
- 62.4% accounted for by women
- Second Leading Cause of Death (2024)
- Ischaemic Heart Disease (over 16,000 deaths)
Quotes
ABS officials
Officials from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
“Approximately 80 per cent of people who died from dementia had other diseases and conditions listed on their death certificate.”
financialexpress.com
ABS
Australian Bureau of Statistics
“Dementia is the leading cause in major cities and inner regional [areas], but in those outer regional, remote and very remote areas, it’s actually the ischaemic heart diseases.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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