Australian Ageing Agenda | Dementia set to become leading cause of death 'in the next few years' Australian Ageing Agenda Heart disease has been Australia's leading cause of death since the early 20th century but that could change as dementia death rates continue to rise, latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show. Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease ... Dementia to topple heart disease as leading cause of death: ABS data Dementia could become Australia's leading cause of death Suicide rates highest in a decade |