Time to Prioritise Brain Health in Midlife, Experts Say
16 Nov 2025
Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, has now overtaken ischaemic heart disease as the nation’s top cause of death, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). More than 17,500 Australians died from dementia in 2024—an increase of 39% over the past decade.
In 2023, dementia was responsible for 9.1% of all deaths, compared to heart disease at 9.3%. Last year, the trend shifted, with dementia rising to 9.4% while heart disease fell to 8.7%. Women accounted for 62.4% of dementia-related deaths, and the condition has been their leading cause of death since 2016.
GP Dr Stephanie Daly says clinicians are already seeing the impact in their consulting rooms, with more patients presenting with cognitive concerns or supporting relatives living with dementia.
She warns that the rise in dementia is partly linked to Australians living longer, but also to low awareness of modifiable midlife risk factors that could delay or reduce disease progression.
“We need to take brain health as seriously as heart health,” Dr Daly said. “Embedding routine brain health checks in midlife could reduce the likelihood of people developing dementia later on.”
The ABS reports that 68.2% of dementia deaths in 2024 occurred in people aged over 75, a figure that has steadily increased over the past 20 years. Women remain disproportionately affected due to their longer life expectancy.
Dr Daly emphasises that ageing should not automatically be associated with memory decline.
“Memory complaints aren’t just a normal part of ageing,” she said. “Dementia is a disease that can be prevented or delayed with good care, better diagnostic access, and improved treatments in the future. GPs who develop confidence in recognising and diagnosing dementia will be better positioned to deliver proactive, rather than reactive, care.”
Source: newsGP / Australian Bureau of Statistics
