Dementia has emerged as the leading cause of death in Australia, surpassing heart disease. According to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), nearly 17,400 deaths in 2023 were attributed to dementia, accounting for about one in ten fatalities nationwide. This marks a significant increase in dementia-related deaths, which have nearly doubled over the past 15 years, largely due to an aging population and improved recognition of the disease as a primary cause of death.

The report highlights that dementia is the leading cause of death for women and the second leading cause for men. Approximately two-thirds of the 433,000 Australians currently living with dementia are women, with the disease responsible for one in eight female deaths. For men, the toll is about one in 15, with coronary heart disease remaining the top killer.

In 2023, over 32,000 Australians with dementia died, often with other conditions such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, and Covid-19 listed as the primary cause of death. The AIHW predicts that the number of Australians living with dementia could exceed one million by 2065, a 2.5-fold increase from current estimates. The incidence of dementia rises sharply with age, from less than one in 1,000 for those aged 30 to 59, to more than 200 per 1,000 among individuals in their late eighties.

Tanya Buchanan, chief executive of Dementia Australia, emphasized the urgency of the situation. "With dementia expected to exceed one million by 2065, we simply cannot afford to wait for decisive action," she stated. Buchanan called on all levels of government to adopt a comprehensive approach to mitigate the future impact of dementia. This includes funding a national discussion to raise awareness and promote brain health, as well as enhancing the dementia care workforce.

The AIHW report also underscores that while the risk of dementia increases with age, it is not an inevitable part of aging. Lifestyle choices made earlier in life can significantly influence the risk of developing dementia. Protective factors include higher education levels, regular physical activity, social engagement, and mentally stimulating activities. Conversely, factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, high blood pressure, and untreated sensory impairments can elevate the risk.

Dementia encompasses various forms, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Symptoms of dementia can include memory loss, confusion, and behavioral changes, which worsen over time, often necessitating full-time care.

The financial implications of dementia are substantial. In the 2020-21 fiscal year, approximately $3.7 billion was spent on dementia-related diagnosis, treatment, and care, with residential aged care services accounting for nearly half of that expenditure.