Key points from article :
Dementia was the leading cause of death in the UK in 2023, according to research by Alzheimer’s Research UK. The study found 75,393 people died from dementia, a slight increase from the previous year. With an aging population, the crisis is expected to worsen unless the government takes action, the charity warned. The research emphasized the need for a future-proofed NHS dementia service in the upcoming 10-Year Health Plan.
An estimated 944,000 people currently live with dementia in the UK, a number expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. The condition already accounts for a quarter of hospital beds for people over 65, and its cost to the NHS has doubled in the past decade due to preventable emergency admissions. The research highlighted the growing burden dementia places on families and public services.
Dementia has been the leading cause of death in women since 2011, with 48,000 women and 27,000 men dying from the condition in 2023. The study also found that Northern Ireland had the highest dementia death rate, followed by England, Wales, and Scotland. The data underscores the need for immediate action to address the impact of dementia across the UK.
Alzheimer’s Research UK called the government’s 10-Year Health Plan a critical opportunity to improve dementia services and capitalize on recent research advancements. New treatments and diagnostic tools are emerging, providing hope for future prevention and management of dementia. The charity stressed the importance of ensuring these advances reach those who need them most.
Care minister Stephen Kinnock added: “Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease which has a terrible impact on so many families, including my own.
“This data reveals the profound toll dementia has on individuals and their loved ones in the UK.
“With our Plan for Change this government is committed to getting the NHS back on its feet and creating a society where every person with dementia receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis through to the end of life.
“We will put Britain at the forefront of transforming treatment for dementia, backing research into the disease and ensuring that new clinically and cost-effective treatments are rolled out in a safe and timely way."
The study was published by Alzheimer’s Research UK and has drawn attention to the urgent need for increased government action to support those affected by dementia. The charity's CEO, Hilary Evans-Newton, called for more funding and policy changes to ensure that dementia does not remain a death sentence for future generations.
Notably, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death when heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases are combined.
