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Multinational Research Finds Dementia Survival Gains Except in New Zealand

Policy shifts in New Zealand’s primary care are linked to its rising dementia mortality, prompting researchers to examine comorbidity effects

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image: ©PIKSEL iStock
Stock image of a doctor comforting a patient with dementia.

Overview

  • The study assessed survival trends among more than 1.2 million dementia patients aged 60 and older across eight regions from 2000 to 2018.
  • Five regions—including Ontario, the UK and South Korea—saw a marked decline in post-diagnosis mortality, accounting for 84% of the cohort.
  • New Zealand’s mortality risk increased steadily between 2014 and 2018 after moving uncomplicated dementia management into primary care.
  • Mortality trends in Finland and Germany did not show clear improvements or declines due to inconclusive data.
  • Lead author Dr. Hao Luo plans follow-on research to investigate how coexisting health conditions affect survival in people living with dementia.