Calls for a greater focus on brain health as national dementia deaths surge

Advocates have stressed the need for significant intervention to tackle dementia, which is close to becoming Australia’s leading cause of death.

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that in 2023 dementia accounted for 9.1 per cent of all deaths, closely following ischaemic heart disease at 9.2 per cent. Dementia remains the leading cause of death for Australian women, representing 12.2 per cent of all female deaths and 6.4 per cent of male deaths.

Alarmingly, 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, New South Wales.

Dementia Australia, the national peak body supporting people living with the brain disease said that targeted and effective health care is required for those impacted.

“There are currently an estimated 421,000 Australians living with dementia and without a significant intervention, this number is expected to increase to more than 812,500 by 2054,” Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan.

“As dementia edges closer to becoming the leading cause of death of Australians, it is crucial that we act now to focus on the brain health of the nation as well as provide more targeted, effective support to those impacted by dementia. Taking this dual approach will ensure we are working towards reducing the impact of dementia in the future.

“Australians currently impacted by dementia can access support now by contacting the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

The warning comes after new research from Dementia Australia found that people living with dementia are facing alarmingly high levels of discrimination, often from those around them in public spaces. 

Released during Dementia Action Week, the findings highlighted that a decade of poor understanding of dementia among Australians has contributed to ongoing stigma and discrimination.

The report, People in the Community are Both the Challenge and the Solution: Towards a Dementia-Friendly Future, sheds light on the persistent realities of prejudice experienced by those living with dementia.

Data in the 2024 report shows that:

• Nearly three in four people (71 per cent) with a loved one living with dementia felt that people patronised their loved one.
• Three in four (76 per cent) felt people treated their family member or friend with dementia as though they were not smart.
• Two in three identified ‘people in the community’ as the most common source of discrimination.
• One in three suggested that people avoid or exclude their loved one with dementia.

Dementia Australia Advisory Committee Chair Bobby Redman, who lives with dementia, expressed disbelief that we are still grappling with such limited awareness and understanding of the condition.

“Why do people treat us differently? What have we done to deserve this? As a Dementia Advocate, it angers me. Why are people not listening? All we are asking for is to be understood, respected and supported – just basic human rights,” Redman said.

“If local councils, businesses and organisations recognise that dementia is no less of a disability because it is invisible, we could feel supported. If friends and others in our community keep an eye out for us and make sure we are included, we can feel less socially isolated.

“There is some great work happening in some communities to combat this discrimination and stigma which is heartwarming and encouraging – but we need to do more.

“Communities and Governments – local, State and Territory and Federal – need to raise awareness and understanding of dementia and to take action to make communities more inclusive for people living with dementia.”

-with AAP.