Dementia now causes one in ten Australian deaths, but expert warns men’s early symptoms are routinely mistaken for stress, burnout or simply becoming grumpy

Key Facts:

• Dementia caused 19,019 deaths in Australia in 2025, 10.1% of all registered deaths and the first time above 10% (ABS, 27 October 2026).
• Dementia has been Australia’s leading cause of death since 2024; women account for 61% of dementia deaths.
• In men, early Alzheimer’s often shows up as poor planning, judgement and irritability rather than memory loss.
• Midlife risk factors men can act on include blood pressure, hearing loss, alcohol and inactivity.
• Pod O’Sullivan and Dr Helena Popovic are