Dementia now the leading cause of death nationwide, overtaking heart disease, new ABS data shows – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Report on Australian Mortality Trends and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Mortality Data in the Context of SDG 3

This report analyses 2024 mortality data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), contextualising the findings within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The data reveals significant shifts in the leading causes of death, highlighting challenges and progress related to non-communicable diseases, mental health, and health inequalities across the nation.

Analysis of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and SDG Target 3.4

SDG Target 3.4 aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases. The latest data indicates a complex and evolving landscape for NCDs in Australia.

H3: Dementia as the Leading Cause of Death

Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in Australia, presenting a major public health challenge directly impacting the achievement of SDG 3.

• Total Deaths: Over 17,500 deaths in 2024, accounting for 9.4% of all deaths.
• Decadal Trend: The number of deaths from dementia has increased by 39% over the last ten years.
• Age Demographics: 95% of dementia-related deaths occurred in individuals aged over 75 years.
• Gender Disparity: Women accounted for 62% of deaths from dementia, highlighting an intersection with SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
• Comorbidities: Mortality is often complex, with approximately 80% of individuals who died from dementia having other conditions listed on their death certificate, such as coronary heart disease and hypertension.

H3: Trends in Ischaemic Heart Disease

Progress has been observed in reducing mortality from ischaemic heart diseases, aligning with efforts under SDG 3.4.

• Decreasing Mortality: Deaths from ischaemic heart diseases have decreased by 18.3% since 2015, reaching their lowest rate in a decade.
• Persistent Impact: Despite the decline, it remains the second leading cause of death overall and the leading cause for men aged 75-84.

Mental Health, Suicide, and Substance Abuse Challenges (SDG Targets 3.4 & 3.5)

The data underscores the urgent need to address mental health and substance abuse to meet SDG Target 3.4 (promote mental health and well-being) and Target 3.5 (strengthen prevention and treatment of substance abuse).

H3: Suicide as a Leading Cause of Premature Mortality

Suicide remains a critical public health issue, representing the leading cause of premature death (defined as death between ages one and 78).

• Total Deaths: 3,307 deaths by suicide were recorded in 2024.
• Gender Disparity: Men accounted for over 75% of these deaths.
• Age Profile: The median age for suicide was 46 years. It is the leading cause of death for individuals in the 15-24, 25-34, and 35-44 age brackets.
• Occupational Risk Factors: For the first time, the ABS identified occupations with higher risk, which included:

1. Technicians and Trade Workers
2. Professionals
3. Labourers

H3: Increasing Rates of Substance-Induced Deaths

An increase in both drug and alcohol-induced deaths signals a setback for SDG Target 3.5.

• Drug-Induced Deaths: Increased from 1,766 in the previous year to 1,947 in 2024, primarily attributed to opioids and other depressants.
• Alcohol-Induced Deaths: Rose from 1,700 to 1,765 in 2024. The death rate has increased from 5.4 per 100,000 in 2020 to 5.9 in 2024.

Health Inequalities and Disparities (SDG 10)

The report highlights significant disparities in health outcomes, a key concern for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

H3: Disparities Based on Geographic Location

Access to services, a factor in geographic remoteness, correlates with different mortality patterns.

• Urban and Regional Areas: Dementia is the leading cause of death in major cities and inner regional areas.
• Remote Areas: Ischaemic heart diseases remain the leading cause of death in outer regional, remote, and very remote areas, where populations may face lower socio-economic status and reduced healthcare access.

H3: Indigenous Health Outcomes

Significant inequality persists in the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

• Total Deaths: 5,603 deaths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were registered.
• Leading Causes of Death: Ischaemic heart diseases and chronic lower respiratory diseases were the leading causes, differing from the national trend.
• Life Expectancy Gap: A substantial gap remains between Indigenous and non-Indigenous life expectancy.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males: 71.9 years
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females: 75.6 years
  • National average males: 81.1 years
  • National average females: 85.1 years

Public Health Implications and Call to Action (SDG 3.d)

The findings necessitate a strengthened public health response, aligning with SDG Target 3.d, which calls for enhanced capacity for risk reduction and management of national health risks.

H3: Key Recommendations

• Investment in Dementia Care: With an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia, a number projected to exceed 1 million by 2065, significant investment in risk reduction, awareness, and care is critical.
• Focus on Prevention: Up to 45% of global dementia cases may be preventable or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors.
• Strengthen Mental Health Services: The high rates of suicide and substance-induced deaths demand urgent and comprehensive action to improve mental health and addiction services nationwide.
• Address Health Inequality: Targeted strategies are required to close the health and life expectancy gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to improve healthcare access in remote communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article’s primary focus is on public health, mortality rates, and causes of death in Australia. It discusses various health issues, including non-communicable diseases like dementia and heart disease, mental health challenges leading to suicide, and the impact of substance abuse (alcohol and drugs). These topics are central to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • The article highlights significant disparities in health outcomes among different population groups. It explicitly compares the life expectancy of the general population with that of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Furthermore, it notes that leading causes of death vary based on geographical “remoteness,” which correlates with access to services and socio-economic status. These points directly address the goal of reducing inequalities within a country.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Targets under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
     • The article extensively covers non-communicable diseases (NCDs), noting that dementia has become the leading cause of death, surpassing ischaemic heart disease. It also discusses suicide as the leading cause of premature death and mentions risk factors like mood disorders, directly linking to the promotion of mental health.
   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
     • The article reports a rise in both drug-induced and alcohol-induced deaths. It specifies that opioids were a common factor in drug-related deaths and that the alcohol-induced death rate has been increasing over the last five years, indicating a clear connection to this target.

2. Targets under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
     • The article’s data reveals health inequalities affecting specific ethnic groups and geographical locations. It notes that “ischaemic heart diseases and chronic lower respiratory diseases remained the leading causes of death” for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, a different pattern from the general population. It also highlights that the leading cause of death in remote areas (ischaemic heart diseases) differs from that in major cities (dementia), pointing to inequalities based on origin and status.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 3 Targets

   • For Target 3.4 (NCDs and mental health):
     • Mortality rate from NCDs: The article provides specific statistics that serve as indicators. It states that dementia caused over 17,500 deaths (9.4% of all deaths) in 2024. It also notes a positive trend for heart disease, with deaths decreasing by 18.3% since 2015. These figures directly measure mortality from specific NCDs.
     • Suicide mortality rate (Indicator 3.4.2): The article provides a clear indicator by stating there were 3,307 deaths by suicide in 2024. It also gives the median age (46 years) and notes that the Northern Territory had the highest suicide rate, providing data for disaggregation.
   • For Target 3.5 (Substance abuse):
     • Mortality rate due to harmful use of alcohol and drugs: The article provides direct indicators for this target. It reports that alcohol-induced deaths rose to 1,765 and the death rate increased from 5.4 per 100,000 in 2020 to 5.9 in 2024. It also states that drug-induced deaths rose to 1,947 from 1,766 in the previous year.

2. Indicators for SDG 10 Target

   • For Target 10.2 (Reduced inequalities):
     • Disparities in life expectancy: The article provides a powerful indicator of inequality by contrasting the national life expectancy (81.1 years for men, 85.1 for women) with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life expectancy (71.9 years for men, 75.6 for women). This gap is a direct measure of an unequal health outcome.
     • Disparities in causes of death: The article implies an indicator by showing that the leading causes of death differ for Indigenous populations and those in remote areas compared to the urban population, highlighting unequal health burdens.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: abc.net.au