MEASURES designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 could have led to a reduction in dementia deaths last year, according to a new report.
The report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reveals the death rate of Australians with dementia fell during the first 10 months of 2020.
Titled Dementia deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, the report suggests measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 led to a likely reduction in transmission of other respiratory diseases.
It used data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics to examine the deaths of people who had dementia recorded on their death certificates between January and October 2020.
AIHW spokesperson Fleur de Crespigny said the death rate for people with dementia was slightly lower over the first 10 months of 2020 than over the corresponding months from 2015-19.
A total of 58 deaths per 100,000 population was recorded in the first ten months of 2020, as opposed to an average of 63 deaths per 100,000 from 2015-19.
Lower death rates were especially apparent during the winter months, which usually lead to a seasonal peak in deaths.
The number of deaths due to influenza or pneumonia fell from an average of 187 people from 2015-19, to just 13 people in 2020.
"These results suggest that the measures in place to control the virus indirectly reduced dementia mortality rates in Australia during the first 10 months of 2020," Dr de Crespigny said.
Dr de Crespigny added that these figures contrasted with data from the UK and other developed countries, where mortality rates rose during the pandemic.
"Over the past year, Australia has introduced a range of measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 and treat those affected."
Measures included setting up new treatment facilities, contact tracing, quarantine systems, social-distancing measures and mask-wearing and lockdowns when necessary.
Dr de Crespigny said while early evidence suggested the measures had been effective in preventing disease transmission, it was important to consider the impacts of social isolation on wellbeing.
According to the report 257 (30 per cent) of the 858 people who died due to COVID-19 in the period had dementia and 54 per cent were women.
To read the report click here.