Dementia Australia Media Release
The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released today in the Causes of Death, Australia, 2024 report has named dementia as the leading cause of death in Australia, overtaking ischaemic heart diseases.
In 2024, dementia accounted for 9.4 per cent of all deaths, whilst the number of deaths caused by dementia has increased by 39 per cent over the last decade.
Dementia has been the leading cause of death for Australian women since 2016, with the 2024 data showing that 62.4 per cent of people who died from dementia were women.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said this data reinforces the critical need to invest in public health approaches to brain health and dementia risk reduction, while providing more targeted support for people impacted by dementia.
“There are currently an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia and without significant intervention, this number is expected to increase to more than one million by 2065,” Professor Buchanan said.
“We need to act on dementia now. At a community level, we need to increase awareness of dementia and brain health, reducing the stigma experienced by so many impacted by dementia.
“Across health, aged, disability and community care sectors, we need to ensure quality dementia care, with palliative care tailored to the needs of people living with dementia, their families and carers at the end of their life.
“Although there are things we cannot change, like getting older or genetics, we now know that up to 45 per cent of dementia cases globally could be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors.
“Dementia Australia is continuing to advocate to Government for investment in a national brain health and risk reduction campaign. We also support all Australians impacted by dementia.”
The data released by the ABS, follows the latest update of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) Dementia in Australia report published in September this year that also reported dementia as the leading cause of death for Australians.
For more details on the ABS report, visit their website here.
For dementia information and support contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit dementia.org.au.
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The Australian government ran an AIDS awareness program, the “Grim Reaper” campaign, in 1987 for six weeks. It was confronting but brought awareness to people who had not heard of it or who treated AIDS as something that was not discussed.
It is time that the federal government now runs a dementia awareness program. Dementia is also something that is not discussed widely and there is a lot that can be done to, if not stave off dementia, help people those people with dementia live better by reducing the stigma and providing understanding and support.
It is never too late to start looking after your brain and older people tend to not exercise their brains in the same way or for the same length of time as younger people, especially after they retire from work.
Well, what do people expect,if we take politicians and big business for examples.
One easy lesson and into the world of nebulous confusion.
Please tell me that arguing with people on the internet is the best thing you can do to ward of dementia.
this has to be bullshit how can dementia kill anyone??????????
Although, hospitals could be the leading killers with over 200 a day.
wam, as always, given access to the internet, the simplest answer before rushing to dispute is to do your own research. A simple google query furnishes the following:
Dementia itself is not a direct cause of death; instead, it leads to death through complications, most commonly infections like pneumonia or urinary tract infections, which can lead to fatal conditions like sepsis. As dementia progresses, it damages the brain and impairs vital bodily functions such as swallowing and the ability to cough, increasing the risk of inhaling food or liquid into the lungs (aspiration) and a general weakening of the immune system. Falls, malnutrition, and dehydration also become significant risks in later stages.
In greater detail… Common complications that lead to death
Infections: This is the most frequent cause of death, with pneumonia being a primary example.
Aspiration pneumonia: Difficulty swallowing can cause food, liquid, or stomach contents to be inhaled into the lungs, leading to infection.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Poor hygiene and incontinence increase the risk of UTIs, which can spread and lead to sepsis if left untreated.
Falls: Dementia impairs coordination and balance, making falls more likely. These can result in serious injuries like fractures, which can be life-threatening, especially in frail individuals.
Malnutrition and dehydration: The ability to eat, drink, and swallow properly diminishes, leading to weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration, which further weakens the body.
Weakened immune system: In the later stages, the immune system is less able to fight off illnesses, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
Organ failure: In the most advanced stages, the damage can spread to the parts of the brain that control vital functions like breathing and circulation, leading to organ failure.
As you can see, it’s not bullshit. Lazy minds make for weak arguments.
Wow, Canga, read the first sentence:
‘Dementia doesn’t kill’.
It cannot be clearer?????????????????
Note, the nearly half a million with it, including the 30k aged between 30 and 60, wont die of it.
Hey wam, having worked with neddies over a number of years, I’d have to agree with the axiomatic observation that ‘you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.’ I’d say the same of my dog… you can offer her food but that doesn’t mean she’ll eat it.
I’ve come to understand that something similar applies in the human realm. Explanations and evidence, despite the best of intentions, often fall on deaf ears. As it seems, such is the case above.
Nuance & interpolation come into play in the explanation provided. Of course dementia kills, but perhaps you’re beyond recognizing the cause & effect at work in the process of physical decay.
BTW, as a proofreader and editor in a former life, the use of a single question mark in punctuation is sufficient in and of itself. To extend to 10, as in your first post, or 17 in your second post, does nothing to add content and is entirely at odds with standard grammar principles. Just saying. 🙂
hahaha you have lambasted this twit before canga when I said climate change is natural and humans can live in all climates so who would be frightened by ‘climate change’ except the ‘collateral damage group’, including billions of 3rd world humans?
In this case, I know I am not bright, ergo ‘a bit of a twit’ but you can die of pneumonia whether you are demented or not.
ps very impressed with your dog and her ability to refuse your cooking. You could try lamb basting, honey, Dijon mustard, rosemary, oregano, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper, sea salt, and mint. Mix all ingredients together?(10 to nothing)
One of my peeves is fishermen with big barras saying isn’t he a beauty etc always ‘he'(like god) when all big barras are female??(10 to the 3010)