Improved data needed to address rising impact of dementia
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
Australia's national agency for health and welfare statistics and information. Have a question? ?? [email protected]
Dementia is a growing health and aged care issue in Australia, with an estimated 401,300 Australians living with dementia in 2022. Amidst Australia’s ageing and growing population, these numbers are expected to double by the year 2058.
Two AIHW reports, Dementia in Australia and the National Dementia Data Improvement Plan 2023–2033, were released today to coincide with Dementia Action Week and World Alzheimer’s Day.
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease caused by nerve cell death resulting in the shrinkage of the brain. It is one of the most common types of dementia, and like other types, impairs the cognitive functions including memory, speech, thought, personality, behaviour and mobility.
Dementia is anticipated to overtake heart disease as the leading cause of death in Australia in the coming years. It is already the leading cause of death overall for women and for people aged 75 years and over.
The number of dementia deaths is on the rise with a 22% increase from 12,900 in 2015 to 15,800 in 2021. The rate of dementia deaths also increased over that period from 54 to 61 deaths per 100,000 people, a rise of 13%. By comparison, the all-cause mortality rate decreased by 14% over that time.
Although there is no cure for dementia, there are currently 4 subsidised medicines available to alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Between 2012–13 and 2021–22, there was a 51% increase in scripts dispensed for dementia-specific medications.
People with dementia made up at least 54% of people in residential aged care in 2021-22 and required substantially higher levels of care than people without dementia. Investment in this area now and in the future remains vitally important.
Dementia in Australia will be updated twice yearly and will continue to paint a picture of dementia and its increasing impact on Australia. Our understanding of the causes, treatment, services and management of dementia is evolving, and the data collections need to evolve to collect and share data across sectors to understand current and future needs.
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The National Dementia Data Improvement Plan 2023–2033 aims to deliver better Australian data to ensure Australia has the evidence base needed for effective policy development, service provision and planning to improve outcomes for people with dementia and their carers. The data improvement activities outlined in the plan aim to improve the reliability, accuracy, validity, availability and/or timeliness of dementia data.
Some of the 10-year goals outlined in this plan include improving the data on the number of people living with dementia and the number with new diagnoses, and report this for different population groups to understand diverse needs. Further goals include improving consistency in data collection, improving availability and reporting, and linking data where appropriate to efficiently ‘collect data once and use often’ and better understand the impact of dementia across sectors.
AIHW's National Centre for Monitoring Dementia has commenced a new national survey to understand Australia’s knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of dementia. This survey, and other activities described in the plan, will provide data for monitoring the forthcoming National Dementia Action Plan, a joint initiative between the Australian Government Department and states and territory governments.