Dementia becomes Australia’s leading cause of death

A new report has revealed that dementia is now the biggest killer of Australians, underscoring the urgent need for action as cases climb.

The findings come from the latest update of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Dementia in Australia report, which paints a confronting picture of the nation’s future health. Without significant intervention, the number of Australians living with dementia is projected to climb past one million by 2065.

Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia, said the figures highlight just how widespread the impact of dementia has become.

“These figures highlight just how many families are impacted by dementia across Australia. Most of us know someone who is or has been impacted by dementia,” Professor Buchanan said.

“People affected by dementia often tell us that friends and family drift away after a diagnosis, because they are unsure of how to interact.

“That’s why the theme for this year’s Dementia Action Week – which starts on Monday 15 September – is ‘Nobody can do it alone’. We are challenging Australians to reconnect with someone impacted by dementia to help combat the high levels of social isolation many experience.”

For Dementia Advocate Lil Mirtl, who lives with the condition, the report reinforces the need for urgent and collective action.

“We don’t have time to feel uncomfortable or awkward about these conversations about dementia – we need to have them now,” Mirtl said.

“We have to pull together as a community to do this. We can’t do it alone as individuals, the government can’t do it alone, we need to all act together.”

The report also uncovered that 43 per cent of dementia cases in Australia can be linked to six modifiable risk factors: being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure in midlife, smoking and impaired kidney function.

Professor Buchanan said these findings further highlight why a national approach is urgently needed.

“With dementia now the leading cause of death for Australians it is more pressing than ever that the federal government commit to funding a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness and promote brain health at all ages,” Professor Buchanan said.

“By taking a comprehensive approach to addressing dementia, we can reduce the impact of dementia into the future. With aged care across the country already under pressure, and the number of people living with dementia expected to exceed 1 million by 2065, we simply cannot afford to wait. We call on the government to take decisive action. People living with dementia, their families and carers are depending on us to do this right, and to do it now.”

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IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.