Alzheimer’s Society comments on new data showing dementia is a leading cause of death in over-75s

New data published by Public Health England  shows that dementia is a contributory or underlying cause in a quarter of deaths in over-75s.

In 2007, 12.8% of deaths were attributed to dementia, whereas this had increased to 25.5% by 2017.

The full report can be found here.

Sally Copley, Director of Policy and Campaigns at Alzheimer’s Society, says: “In ten years deaths from dementia have doubled, but in the same period we’ve seen nowhere near the increase in investment in dementia research to combat this devastating condition.  Cancer researchers outnumber dementia researchers four to one, despite dementia being the biggest health and social care crisis of our time, and this report revealing dementia causes a quarter of deaths in over 75s.

“It’s not just more people dying of dementia, there are more and more people living with the disease, and fighting to get the care they need. Now is the time for urgent investment from the Government in quality, specialist dementia care through a dedicated Dementia Fund.”