Deaths from coronary heart disease in Australia have reached their lowest level in nearly five decades, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released on March 15, 2024. This significant decline has allowed dementia to surpass coronary heart disease as the nation’s leading cause of death.
The ABS report reveals that while coronary heart disease remains the predominant cause of death for men and individuals living in outer regional and remote areas, the total number of deaths attributed to this condition has fallen to its lowest rate since 1968. Despite this positive trend, the disease was responsible for more than 16,000 deaths in the past year.
The mortality rate for coronary heart disease has decreased by an impressive 87 percent over the past 50 years. In contrast, deaths from dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, surged by over 840 percent, with more than 17,000 people succumbing to dementia in 2024. Notably, women accounted for 62 percent of dementia-related deaths, a trend that has persisted since 2016.
Factors Behind the Trends
The decline in deaths from coronary heart disease can be attributed to advancements in healthcare and medical interventions aimed at managing heart conditions. Lauren Moran, head of mortality statistics at the ABS, highlighted that improved treatment of risk factors, such as hypertension and high cholesterol, has played a crucial role in this downward trend.
Coronary heart disease occurs when the coronary arteries become narrowed due to a build-up of plaque, restricting blood flow to the heart muscle. Moran explained that the rise in dementia-related deaths is likely linked to increased life expectancy, particularly among women, who tend to live longer and thus face a higher risk of developing dementia in their later years.
In response to the data, Tanya Buchanan, chief executive of Dementia Australia, emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in public health initiatives. “Dementia accounted for 9.4 percent of all deaths, and current estimates suggest that 433,300 Australians are living with dementia. Without significant intervention, this number could exceed one million by 2065,” she stated.
Ongoing Public Health Concerns
While the decline in coronary heart disease deaths is encouraging, other health issues present ongoing challenges. Deaths related to suicide increased by one percent in 2024, making it the leading cause of premature death in Australia, with a median age of 46 years. The data indicates that more than 3,300 people died by suicide, with men representing over three-quarters of these fatalities.
The Northern Territory reported the highest suicide rate, closely followed by Queensland and Tasmania. Nieves Murray, chief executive of Suicide Prevention Australia, described the statistics as both devastating and stubbornly high. “We lost an additional 43 lives 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 remarked.
Additionally, deaths caused by drug and alcohol increased in the past year, with acute toxicity being the primary cause of drug-induced fatalities. Long-term complications from alcohol use, such as liver cirrhosis, have also contributed to the rising number of alcohol-related deaths, which have seen a steady increase over the last five years.
For those in crisis, support is available through services such as Lifeline at 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636.
The recent statistics from the ABS underscore the complexities of public health in Australia, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in addressing the nation’s health landscape.
