3303.0 - Causes of Death, Australia, 2012 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 25/03/2014   
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DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM (G00-G99)

Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99) accounted for 6,884 deaths in 2012, representing 4.7% of all registered deaths. Deaths attributable to diseases of the nervous system have increased over time, with 4,324 deaths recorded in this category in 2003. The number of deaths due to diseases of the nervous system was higher for females (3,861) than for males (3,023). The median age at death was 80.8 for males and 85.3 for females.

Deaths from Alzheimer's disease (G30) constituted 44.2% (3,046) of all deaths due to diseases of the nervous system and 2.1% of all registered deaths in 2012. The number of deaths due to Alzheimer's disease were much higher for females (2,128) than for males (918), with a ratio of 43 male deaths per 100 female deaths. The median age at death due to Alzheimer's disease was 87.5 years.

Parkinson's disease (G20) accounted for 20.2% of all deaths due to diseases of the nervous system and 0.9% of all deaths registered in 2012. There were 1,392 deaths due to this disease, with a median age at death of 83.5 years. The number of male deaths (788) due to Parkinson's disease was higher than the number of female deaths (604). This was similar to the overall trend for the past 10 years.