In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 1,045 deaths in the state. 21.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.3% were from cancer and 7.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.5% of deaths were from Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Studies show doctors and medical examiners may underreport Alzheimer's disease and dementia-related conditions as the underlying cause of death on death certificates, according to the National Institute on Aging.
Once infected, older adults with dementia are likely to develop a more severe and dangerous illness. The diseases which make an older adult more vulnerable to COVID-19 are age-associated chronic conditions, according to the Bright Focus Foundation.
Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 222 | 21.2 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 191 | 18.3 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 63 | 6 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 51 | 4.9 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 50 | 4.8 |
Alzheimer's disease | 44 | 4.2 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 29 | 2.8 |
Diabetes mellitus | 19 | 1.8 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 16 | 1.5 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 13 | 1.2 |
Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 131 | 12.5 |