Deaths from coronary heart disease in Australia have reached their lowest level in nearly five decades, as dementia has now surpassed it to become the leading cause of death in the country. According to data released on March 15, 2024, by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, while coronary heart disease remains the primary cause of death for men and individuals living in outer regional and remote areas, its mortality rate has steadily declined over the years.
The statistics reveal that more than 16,000 lives were lost to coronary heart disease in the past year, marking the lowest rate since 1968. Notably, the mortality rate from this condition has decreased by 87 percent over the past 50 years. In contrast, deaths attributed to dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, have surged by over 840 percent, with more than 17,000 fatalities recorded in 2024. Women accounted for 62 percent of these dementia-related deaths, highlighting a trend that has seen dementia as the leading cause of death among women since 2016.
The decline in coronary heart disease mortality can be attributed to advancements in healthcare and medical interventions, according to Lauren Moran, head of mortality statistics at the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Improved treatment for risk factors such as hypertension and high cholesterol has played a crucial role in this downward trend.
Rising Dementia Deaths Reflect Aging Population
Moran noted that the rise in dementia deaths is likely linked to increased life expectancy, which raises the likelihood of developing dementia as people age. “This is especially true for women who have longer life expectancies,” she explained.
Tanya Buchanan, chief executive of Dementia Australia, emphasized the urgent need for public health investment, as dementia now accounts for 9.4 percent of all deaths in the country. She stated, “There are currently an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia, and without significant intervention, this number is expected to exceed one million by 2065.”
The data also highlighted a troubling increase in suicide-related deaths, which rose by one percent and has become the leading cause of premature death, with a median age of 46 years. More than 3,300 individuals died by suicide, with men comprising over 75 percent of these cases. The Northern Territory recorded the highest suicide rate, followed closely by Queensland and Tasmania.
Nieves Murray, chief executive of Suicide Prevention Australia, described the figures as “devastating and stubbornly high.” He pointed out that the increase represents an additional 43 lives lost to suicide in 2024 compared to the previous year. “That’s more than a classroom of students, a busload of people, or an entire family every month,” Murray stated.
Drug and alcohol-induced deaths also saw an uptick over the past year. Acute toxicity emerged as the primary cause of drug-induced fatalities, while long-term complications of alcohol use, such as liver cirrhosis, have driven an increase in alcohol-induced deaths over the last five years.
For individuals in need of support, resources such as Lifeline at 13 11 14 and beyondblue at 1300 22 4636 remain available to provide assistance.
