Just six in ten adults realise dementia is a cause of death, new polling shows

A new nationwide poll has today revealed that only six in ten UK adults* (60%) realise that dementia is a cause of death – despite it being the biggest killer in the UK.

Dementia is a condition caused by diseases that affect the brain, the most common being Alzheimer’s disease. As diseases like Alzheimer’s progress, areas of the brain that control vital functions, such as swallowing and breathing, become damaged. This means that dementia can lead to death in several ways, including by triggering pneumonia, heart problems and serious infections.

However, many people are still not aware of the devastation caused by dementia. That’s why Alzheimer’s Research UK commissioned the poll to help understand public attitudes towards dementia, and identify the challenges faced in transforming them.

Commenting on the new findings, Samantha Benham-Hermetz, Executive Director of Policy & Communications at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: