This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37972141

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Dementia now leading cause of death Dementia now leading cause of death
(35 minutes later)
Dementia, including Alzheimer's Disease, has overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of death in England and Wales, latest figures reveal.Dementia, including Alzheimer's Disease, has overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of death in England and Wales, latest figures reveal.
The Office for National Statistics says the change is largely because people are living for longer and doctors have got better at spotting dementia.
Last year, more than 61,000 people died of dementia - 11.6% of all recorded deaths.Last year, more than 61,000 people died of dementia - 11.6% of all recorded deaths.
The bulk of these dementia deaths were among women. The Office for National Statistics says the change is largely due to an ageing population.
Dementia and Alzheimer disease accounted for 15.2% of all female deaths, up from 13.4% in 2014. People are living for longer and deaths from some other causes, including heart disease, have gone down.
Also, doctors have got better at diagnosing dementia and the condition is now given more weight on death certificates.
The bulk of the dementia deaths seen were among women.
Dementia and Alzheimer's disease accounted for 15.2% of all female deaths, up from 13.4% in 2014.
For men, however, heart disease remained the leading cause of death in 2015.For men, however, heart disease remained the leading cause of death in 2015.
All types of cancer as a group was still the most common cause of death overall.All types of cancer as a group was still the most common cause of death overall.
In the youngest age group, aged 5 to 19, suicide was the leading cause of death.In the youngest age group, aged 5 to 19, suicide was the leading cause of death.
Among women aged 35 to 49, breast cancer was the biggest killer.Among women aged 35 to 49, breast cancer was the biggest killer.