Dementia killed more women than Covid in 2020 - new research reveals

In 2020, 46,000 women died from dementia compared to 41,000 women who died in the same year from Covid-19, researchers reveal.

According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, dementia became the leading cause of death for women in the UK in 2011 and has remained at this position, including in 2020 at the height of the pandemic where fewer women died of Covid-19.

The charity’s analysis, The Impact of Dementia on Women, is calling for action as part of the government’s new Women’s Health Strategy and its Dementia Strategy. It’s now urging the government to deliver on its Dementia Moonshot promise to double research funding and convene a Dementia Medicines Taskforce to speed up progress in finding new treatments for this devastating condition.

'This report shows that its impact is hitting women particularly hard'

Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “It’s shocking to see despite dementia becoming the leading cause of death for UK women more than a decade ago, this situation remains unchanged today. Dementia is devastating for every person it affects, but this report shows that its impact is hitting women particularly hard.

“Although many of these challenges are seen across other health conditions, they are particularly stark for dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK is committed to addressing these issues in the research we fund, and we hope this report will kick-start a conversation about how we can take more action across the sector.

“Research funders and drug regulators have a vital role to play, and government has an important opportunity to help break the bias as it rolls out its new Women’s Health Strategy and Dementia Strategy. And ultimately, doubling government investment in research is vital if we’re to put an end to the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.”

’It’s worrying to know female dementia researchers are less likely to progress into senior roles’

Analysis also shows women receive worse healthcare than men in the UK, which has the largest gender health gap within G20 countries.

Across medical research, women are less likely to be included in clinical trials, despite being more likely than men to experience drug reactions.

Around two thirds (between 60 per cent and 70 per cent) of people caring for loved ones with dementia are women.

Female dementia researchers are less likely to move into senior roles compared to their male counterparts, meaning research may be missing vital different perspectives that could help address the gender data gap.

Dr Amber John, a dementia researcher at UCL (University College London) said: “I chose to focus on dementia research because I have seen the devastating impact that dementia can have on some people living with dementia and their loved ones. As an early career researcher, I’m currently laying the foundations for what I hope will be a long-term profession.

“It’s my ambition that over the course of that career, I’ll be able to make discoveries that will help to transform the lives of people with dementia. “But as a woman, it’s worrying to know female dementia researchers are less likely to progress into senior roles, and this is something that must change. We must take action to break the bias and enable female researchers to participate on an equal basis with our male counterparts.”

To find out more about dementia and how to get help, click here