Skip to content
Medical Health Aged Care

Report on how Australians die reinforces dementia impact on community and healthcare system

Dementia Australia 2 mins read

The What do Australians die from? report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) highlights the most common causes of deaths in Australia. 

The report shows dementia remains the leading cause of death for Australian women and the second leading cause of death of all Australians.

Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said dementia is one of the most pressing health challenges facing Australia. 

“With more than 421,000 people living with dementia in Australia, a figure that is expected to double in the next 30 years, dementia has a significant impact in our community and on our health services,” Prof Buchanan said. 

“We know from Australian and international research that dementia is a poorly understood condition, yet it is one of the leading causes of death for Australians. Dementia is not a normal part of the ageing process. It is however, one of the major health challenges facing Australia. 

“Dementia Australia is committed to working towards improving brain health and improving the experience of people living with dementia, their families and carers. For people with a dementia diagnosis, access to appropriate services and care can be fragmented and challenging to access.” 

People impacted by dementia tell us they need:

  • A timely and accurate diagnosis,
  • Access to support services like those provided by Dementia Australia at the time they are diagnosed, including referrals to the National Dementia Helpline, 1800 100 500,
  • Supports services that maintain dignity and autonomy, and
  • Appropriate palliative care services.

“Dementia Australia is committed to working with people impacted by dementia to achieve better outcomes and to reduce the impact of dementia into the future,” Prof Buchanan said.  

“We are proud to be one of the leading funders of research into dementia. 

“There are exciting breakthroughs in research which demonstrate we can start to prevent many cases of dementia as well as being able to offer effective treatment and support services. 

“Dementia Australia through the Dementia Australia Research Foundation is investing in research that will ultimately make a tangible difference to dementia outcomes.”

The Foundation’s research grants are currently open here

Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 421,000 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.6 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.

For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au

-Ends-

Media contacts: Gabrielle Prabhu, Media & Communications Manager, 0447 253 583 or Gabrielle.Prabhu@dementia.org.au

When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.

Note to Editors:

We request, where possible, details for the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 appear alongside news stories about dementia, as these stories often prompt questions or concerns:

If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au. 

Media

More from this category

  • Medical Health Aged Care, Research Development
  • 17/02/2025
  • 15:07
Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG)

ANZGOG Announces Keynote Speaker for 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting: A/Professor Carien Creutzberg

The Australia New ZealandGynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) is pleased to welcome internationally renowned Radiation Oncologist Professor Carien Creutzberg as a keynote speaker at the…

  • Contains:
  • Medical Health Aged Care
  • 17/02/2025
  • 11:51
Monash University

Monash Expert: Landmark approval of weight loss drug for heart disease

For the first time in Australia, a weight loss drug has been approved to also treat cardiovascular disease in overweight and obese patients. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted approval for semaglutide 2.4 mg (sold as Wegovy) to be used as a complementary therapy for reducing major adverse cardiovascular events such as cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (heart attack), or non-fatal stroke. The approval follows findings from the SELECT trial, an international study involving more than 17,000 participants across 41 countries, including Australia. Results published in late 2023 showed that Wegovy reduced cardiovascular events by 20 percent in people…

  • Medical Health Aged Care
  • 17/02/2025
  • 10:11
Smith & Nephew UK Ltd

Smith+Nephew steps forward with innovative Sports Medicine foot & ankle repair solutions in Australia and New Zealand

First in market to offer Adjustable Tensioning Technology* for insertional Achilles reconstruction and lateral ankle instability repair*After anchor insertionSmith+Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology company, today announces the launch of a comprehensive foot & ankle repair portfolio in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) with proprietary adjustable tensioning technology. The ULTRABRIDGE◊ Adjustable Achilles Reconstruction and ULTRABRACE◊ Adjustable Ankle Instability Techniques are changing the way foot & ankle surgeons perform these repairs by allowing them to refine and optimise suture tension after anchor insertion.The ability to adjust tension for specific patients allows the surgeon to give the precise amount of range-of-motion…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.