Geelong’s leading causes of death revealed

New figures have detailed the leading causes of death in Geelong. SEE THE LIST

Coronary heart disease, which can cause heart attacks, is Geelong’s leading cause of death. Picture: iStock

New figures have detailed Geelong’s biggest killers, with coronary heart disease named the region’s leading cause of death.

Between 2017 and 2021, there were 10,077 deaths recorded in Greater Geelong, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data.

Of those, 1156 were from coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks.

It was followed by dementia, which claimed 792 lives, and cerebrovascular disease,which affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain, which killed 655.

Lung cancer (481 lives) came in fourth, followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which causes restricted airflow and breathing problems (409).

Coronary heart disease was the biggest killer for males in Greater Geelong, while dementia was the leading cause of death for females, which reflected the national trend.

The Surf Coast’s leading cause of death was dementia, accounting for 102 of the 956 deaths in the area between 2017 and 2021.

It was the leading killer for females in the area, while coronary heart disease was in the top spot for males.

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said while cardiovascular disease killed nearly one third of Australians, simple lifestyle choices were shown to improve heart health, including avoiding smoking, exercise, a healthy diet, and managing stress.

“Barwon Health runs several programs to address risk factors for heart disease, including our Be Smokefree campaign to support quitting smoking and vaping, Community Kitchens to encourage healthy eating, and working alongside schools and workplaces in the community to support better health,” she said.

Greater Geelong’s median age of death was 83.5 in 2021, and the Surf Coast’s 85.2.

These compared to a national figure of 82.

Over the past five decades, life expectancy in Australia has increased by 13.7 years for males (to 81.3) and by 11.2 years for females (to 85.4), according to the AIHW.

It has increased at a rate of three months per year since the start of the 20th century, the institute said.

Originally published as Geelong’s leading causes of death revealed