Key Factors
- The Australian Bureau of Statistics has launched information on the main causes of demise for 2023.
- Ischaemic coronary heart illness is the highest reason for demise in Australia, however dementia is shortly catching up.
- Over the previous 50 years, the mortality price for dementia has elevated by greater than 842 per cent.
This text incorporates references to suicide.
Australians live longer than ever, and as our society ages, the main reason for demise might quickly change.
Based on new information launched by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), ischaemic coronary heart illness (a medical situation that impacts the center resulting from lowered blood move) is the highest reason for demise in Australia and has led to 16,922 of the 183,131 deaths registered in Australia in 2023.
However the variety of deaths attributable to dementia is shortly rising, with the situation resulting in 16,685 deaths final 12 months.
Cerebrovascular illness (medical circumstances that have an effect on blood move to the mind) was the third main trigger, whereas lung most cancers and persistent decrease respiratory ailments have been fourth and fifth, respectively.
Ischaemic coronary heart illness and dementia have been the highest two causes of demise in Australia in 2023. Supply: SBS Information
Coronary heart illness declining as dementia rises
Whereas ischaemic coronary heart illness stays the main reason for demise in Australia, charges are declining, in response to the ABS.
In 2024, it accounted for 9.2 per cent of deaths, whereas at its peak in 1968, it accounted for over 30 per cent of deaths. At the moment, dementia accounted for 0.2 per cent of deaths, in comparison with 9.1 per cent in 2023.
It’s the main reason for demise for Australian ladies, representing 12.2 per cent of all feminine deaths and 6.4 per cent of male deaths.
Dementia is most typical amongst folks aged over 65, and the median age of demise resulting from dementia is 88.7. As Australia’s inhabitants ages, this has led to extra deaths resulting from dementia.
The speed of dementia is growing as Australia’s inhabitants ages. Supply: SBS Information
Over the previous 50 years, the mortality price for dementia has elevated by greater than 842 per cent, whereas the speed for ischaemic coronary heart illness has decreased by 87.9 per cent.
There is no such thing as a remedy for dementia, and Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan mentioned the terminal nature of the illness is poorly understood.
“As dementia edges nearer to turning into the main reason for demise of Australians, it’s essential that we act now to deal with the mind well being of the nation in addition to present extra focused, efficient help to these impacted by dementia,” she mentioned.
“Taking this twin strategy will guarantee we’re working in direction of lowering the impression of dementia sooner or later.”
How many individuals are dying from COVID-19 in Australia?
In 2023, the variety of deaths attributable to COVID-19 in Australia was 5,001, making it the ninth-leading reason for demise within the nation.
The virus brought about 9,862 deaths in 2022, making it the third-leading reason for demise that 12 months.
In 2023, the World Well being Group declared COVID-19 was now not a world well being emergency.
The folks dying in ‘probably avoidable’ circumstances
The ABS additionally launched information on ‘probably avoidable’ mortality, which covers deaths of individuals beneath 75 that might have been prevented by means of care or intervention.
This contains particular sorts of most cancers and medical circumstances or infectious ailments, in addition to ‘exterior causes’ resembling accidents, suicides and assaults.
In 2023, there have been 28,112 avoidable deaths, together with 17,805 males and 10,307 females.
This marked a slight lower from 2022 when there have been 28,935 probably avoidable deaths.
What number of Australians are dying by suicide?
This 12 months’s launch included insights into intentional self-harm deaths, together with remoteness space for the primary time.
There have been 3,214 deaths initially labeled as being resulting from suicide in 2023, making it the sixteenth main reason for demise. Of those deaths, 75.3 per cent have been male.
The median age for demise by suicide was 45.5.
Suicide charges have been larger in regional and distant Australia, which the ABS mentioned might be influenced by social, financial, well being and environmental circumstances.
Substance abuse, together with alcohol use, was mostly talked about as a danger think about distant and really distant places, together with issues referring to authorized circumstances.
For folks dwelling in outer regional and distant areas, issues referring to major help networks — together with the demise of a beloved one or issues in relationships — have been widespread danger components
Suicide charges have been additionally larger amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folks, with intentional self-harm the fifth-leading reason for demise.
Readers looking for disaster help can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Name Again Service on 1300 659 467 and Youngsters Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for younger folks aged as much as 25) or discover an . Extra data and help with psychological well being is out there at and on 1300 22 4636.
helps folks from culturally and linguistically various backgrounds.
Sources for younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders will be discovered at .
