Deaths From Alzheimer's, Dementia Rise 137 Pct In Past Decade In Australia

An aging population has resulted in dementia and Alzheimer's disease becoming the second leading cause of death in Australia, according to official statistics released on Tuesday.
For many years, stroke was behind only heart disease as the biggest killer in Australia but the sharp rise of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, which was the fifth leading cause 10 years ago, has resulted in it now being ranked second.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures on Tuesday revealed that total deaths from dementia and Alzheimer's disease rose by 137 percent to 10,933 from 2004 to 2013 and now accounted for 7.4 percent of all deaths.
Heart disease was related to 13.4 percent of all deaths in 2013, continuing the significant decrease from 18.5 percent a decade ago.
James Eynstone-Hinkins, from the ABS, said deaths due to dementia and Alzheimer's disease had increased by 5 percent in 12 months and 30 percent over five years.
"Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for almost 20,000 deaths in 2013," Eynstone-Hinkins said in a statement.
"However, deaths from dementia and Alzheimer's disease have been increasing in number for many years, and now outrank cerebrovascular diseases as the second leading cause of death of Australians.
"Advancements in treatment of circulatory diseases have decreased the number of deaths from these conditions. As life expectancy increases (now at 80.1 years for males and 84.3 years for females) it is likely the number of deaths from dementia will continue to grow."
Cancer deaths outnumbered deaths from circulatory diseases for the first time in 2013. Colon cancer, blood cancers, prostate, breast, pancreatic and skin cancers were all among Australia's 20 leading causes of death.
Suicide remained the leading cause of death of people aged 15- 44. It accounted for 2,520 deaths -- or the equivalent of 85,000 years of life lost. (Cihan/Xinhua)