BREAKING: Australia has just recorded a historic decline in deaths from coronary heart disease, which has reached its lowest rate in 47 years. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that dementia has overtaken it as the nation’s leading cause of death, a shocking shift in public health trends.
As of 2024, deaths from coronary heart disease have dropped significantly, down to fewer than 16,000 lives lost last year. This marks an 87 percent decrease in mortality rates over the past five decades. Despite this encouraging news, dementia-related deaths soared to over 17,000, with the majority—62 percent—affecting women.
This data is critical for understanding the evolving landscape of health risks in Australia. Health experts attribute the decline in heart disease fatalities to enhanced healthcare and effective treatment of risk factors such as hypertension and high cholesterol. According to Lauren Moran, head of mortality statistics at the bureau, these improvements have played a pivotal role in saving lives.
However, the rise in dementia deaths, which have increased by over 840 percent since 1968, brings urgent concerns. “The increase in dementia deaths is likely linked to longer life expectancies, particularly among women,” Moran noted. Dementia has been the leading cause of death for women since 2016.
Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia, emphasized the shocking statistics, stating dementia accounts for 9.4 percent of all deaths nationwide. “Currently, there are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia, and without significant intervention, this number could exceed one million by 2065,” she warned, highlighting the critical need for increased public health investment.
In another alarming development, deaths by suicide have climbed by 1 percent, becoming the leading cause of premature death in Australia. More than 3,300 individuals died by suicide in 2024, with men representing over 75 percent of these tragic losses. The Northern Territory recorded the highest suicide rate, followed by Queensland and Tasmania.
Nieves Murray, CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia, described the suicide statistics as devastating, stating, “We lost an additional 43 lives to suicide this year compared to last. That’s more than a classroom of students or an entire family each month.”
Drug and alcohol-related deaths have also risen, particularly due to acute toxicity and long-term complications of alcohol use such as liver cirrhosis.
This latest data presents a complex picture of public health in Australia, with heart disease deaths declining but dementia and suicide rates rising. The implications are profound and call for immediate action from health officials and policymakers.
As these trends develop, the need for targeted health initiatives is critical to address the growing challenges posed by dementia and mental health crises. Readers are urged to stay informed on this evolving issue. For support, individuals can reach out to Lifeline at 13 11 14 or beyondblue at 1300 22 4636.
