The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released its annual mortality report, and it's the kind of data that makes you want to sit down with a cup of tea and a very long think. Of the 188,421 deaths registered in 2025, dementia - including Alzheimer's disease - accounted for 19,019, officially pushing it past 10% of all deaths for the first time ever. It's been the leading cause of death in Australia since 2024, a title nobody wants to defend.

Trailing behind dementia in the grim rankings were ischaemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases (such as stroke), lung cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. The top five: a murderer's row of things we'd all rather not discuss at dinner.

Prof Tanya Buchanan, chief executive of Dementia Australia, said the data underlines the critical need for more recognition and funding to support people living with dementia, their families, and carers. With an estimated 446,500 Australians currently living with dementia and a further 1.7 million people involved in their care, Buchanan noted that despite the growing impact, investment in specific services, supports, and prevention have not kept the same pace - and the stigma surrounding dementia continues. In other words, the numbers are going up, the funding isn't, and the awkward silence persists.

Meanwhile, asthma deaths reached their highest level in a decade: 484 Australians died from asthma in 2025, up from 478 in 2024. A modest increase, but a decade-high nonetheless. Women account for almost two-thirds of asthma deaths and almost two-thirds of all dementia deaths - a statistical quirk that is less quirky and more concerning.

Kate Miranda, CEO of Asthma Australia, pointed out that poorly controlled asthma increases risk and is a preventable reason behind many asthma-related deaths. "We have effective treatments and clear clinical guidelines, yet too many Australians are not getting the care they need to stay well," she said. Research shows the proportion of adults with well-controlled asthma has been falling, with many using little or no preventer treatment. Adherence among those using inhaled corticosteroids was also worsening.

Too many people rely solely on asthma-reliever medications for their symptoms, Miranda said - but "it doesn't treat the underlying inflammation." People, especially those with mild cases, think "it's just asthma," so they skip regular checkups and don't talk to their GP about their medication. They might take preventer medication on high pollen days or when they have a cold, but then they don't take it otherwise. It's the medical equivalent of only wearing a seatbelt when it's raining.

Miranda also noted that asthma guidelines have shifted to recommend anti-inflammatory reliever (Air) therapy - an anti-inflammatory that also treats symptoms. "People, especially older Australians, are still using medications they had as a child without being aware guidelines have changed and better options exist," she said. So if you're still puffing on the same inhaler you had in 1995, it might be time for a chat with your GP.

Drug-induced deaths also remained a public health issue in 2025, rising to 2,063 from 2,007 in 2024. Lauren Moran, the ABS's head of mortality statistics, said while opioids and benzodiazepines continue to be the most common drug classes involved, there has been substantial growth in people dying after using stimulants, including methamphetamine. A grim trend with no silver lining.

Suicide remained the leading cause of premature death for both males and females in 2025, with men accounting for almost three-quarters of these deaths. Support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and MensLine on 1300 789 978.

In summary: dementia is now responsible for more than one in ten deaths, asthma deaths are at a decade high despite effective treatments, and drug-induced deaths are climbing. The data is a stark reminder that while we've made medical advances, we're still falling short on the basics: funding, access, and awareness.