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Dementia Now Kills More Australians Than Heart Disease
11 Mar
Summary
- Dementia is now Australia's leading cause of death, surpassing heart disease.
- An estimated 446,500 Australians live with dementia as of 2026.
- Nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented by addressing risk factors.
Dementia has officially become the leading cause of death in Australia, overtaking heart disease in 2024. As of 2026, an estimated 446,500 Australians are living with this condition, which now accounts for one in every ten deaths.
While immediate causes like pneumonia or cardiac arrest may be listed, dementia is recognized as the underlying factor. Experts warn that without intervention, the number of people with dementia could exceed one million by 2065.
Public health advocates stress that dementia is not an inevitable consequence of aging. They highlight six modifiable risk factors—tobacco use, obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, and impaired kidney function—that contribute to 43% of the dementia burden.
These preventable factors mean that approximately two in five dementia cases in Australia could be averted. A call has been made for a national brain health campaign and a strategic shift by the government to prioritize prevention and early detection.
