In the week ending Aug. 13, 2022, there were 940 deaths in the state. 22.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.1% were from cancer and 8.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.1% 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 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 208 | 194 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 180 | 212 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 67 | 60 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 53 | 43 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 31 | 36 |
Diabetes mellitus | 24 | 33 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 24 | 24 |
Alzheimer's disease | 19 | 19 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 12 | 11 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 13 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 76 | 76 |