In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 1,095 deaths in the state. 23.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.7% were from cancer and 7.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 14.9% 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.
Missouri top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 259 | 23.7 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 216 | 19.7 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 67 | 6.1 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 54 | 4.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 51 | 4.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 43 | 3.9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 36 | 3.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 36 | 3.3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 29 | 2.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 29 | 2.6 |
Missouri Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 163 | 14.9 |
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