Dementia is the second highest cause of death among females in Gippsland and the sixth among males with an average of 171 deaths a year.
This was revealed in Gippsland Primary Health Network’s priority issues paper on ‘Dementia’, released this week.
The number of people in Gippsland with dementia is expected to double over the next three decades – an estimated 7,488 people in Gippsland had dementia in 2021 and this is expected to increase to 13,783 by 2058. Out of this total, an estimated 438 people have younger onset dementia (under 65 years). Forty per cent of people living in aged care facilities have a dementia diagnosis.
Gippsland PHN Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Proposch, said the priority issues papers were an important resource for both health professionals and the community.
“Gippsland PHN is committed to Population Health Planning as an ongoing core function,” Ms Proposch said. “We gather data and information from many sources including the local community and health professionals to identify the unique health priorities of our region.
“The purpose is to make informed decisions about the best way to achieve our vision of a measurably healthier Gippsland.”
Read the full media release here Media release – Issues papers 10072022
