Figures Show Dementia Still Top Cause of Death Despite Increase
The Alzheimer’s charity is urging the government to take more action to support the NHS and families impacted by the disease.
Dementia was identified as the primary cause of death in the UK in 2023, with new analysis showing it accounted for over 10% of all deaths and saw a 1.5% increase from the previous year.
Using data from various statistical agencies, Alzheimer’s Research UK revealed that 75,393 people died from dementia in 2023, compared to 74,261 the previous year and 69,178 in 2021.
They emphasize the need for the upcoming Ten-Year Health Plan for the NHS to ensure dementia care is “future-proof” to prevent it from being a terminal condition.
The charity’s CEO, Hilary Evans-Newton, stated, “This data highlights the devastating impact of dementia across the UK, which will only escalate without government intervention.”
Surpassing Heart Disease
Dementia overtook heart disease as the leading cause of death in the UK almost a decade ago, with the exception of 2020 and 2021 when COVID-19 deaths were more prevalent.
It is estimated that 944,000 individuals in the UK are currently diagnosed with dementia, a number that could rise to 1.4 million by 2040 as predicted by the charity.
Evans-Newton added, “The government must act decisively to address the escalating impact of dementia on society.”
More Women Affected
Statistics show that significantly more women than men succumb to dementia, with over 48,000 women and 27,000 men dying from the disease last year.
The analysis revealed that Northern Ireland had the highest dementia death rate, followed by England, Wales, and Scotland.
According to Evans-Newton, the Ten-Year Health Plan provides a crucial opportunity to integrate cutting-edge research and address the growing impact of dementia.
Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia
Alzheimer’s is a brain disease, while dementia encompasses a range of symptoms. Research indicates that amyloid and tau protein build-up in the brain may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Common causes of dementia include vascular disease and Lewy body disease, with genetic and environmental factors potentially playing a role in Alzheimer’s development.
Minister Stephen Kinnock highlighted the impact of dementia on families, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving care and treatment for those affected.
New Treatments
Despite the potential benefits of new drugs like lecanemab and donanemab in slowing Alzheimer’s progression, the NHS watchdog has deemed them too costly for widespread use.
