In the week ending May 1, 2021, there were 1,257 deaths in the state. 21.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.2% were from cancer and 10.7% 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.
Indiana top 10 causes of death in week ending May 1, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 271 | 21.6 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 254 | 20.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 75 | 6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 73 | 5.8 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 62 | 4.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 59 | 4.7 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 39 | 3.1 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 36 | 2.9 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 27 | 2.1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 0.8 |
Indiana Dementia deaths in week ending May 1, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 108 | 8.6 |
Alerts Sign-up