In the week ending Dec. 3, there were 1,334 deaths in the state. 23.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.3% were from cancer and 7.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.6% 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.
Indiana top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 308 | 23.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 231 | 17.3 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 93 | 7 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 76 | 5.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 62 | 4.6 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 50 | 3.7 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 45 | 3.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 44 | 3.3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 27 | 2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 22 | 1.6 |
Indiana Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 142 | 10.6 |
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