In the week ending Aug. 27, 2022, there were 1,096 deaths in the state. 23.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.4% were from cancer and 8.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.6% 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. 27, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 254 | 249 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 235 | 268 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 62 | 57 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 56 | 62 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 56 | 64 |
Alzheimer's disease | 44 | 39 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 43 | 34 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 39 | 49 |
Diabetes mellitus | 33 | 31 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 94 | 86 |