In the week ending May 15, 2021, there were 1,246 deaths in the state. 22.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.5% were from cancer and 11.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.5% 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 15, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 278 | 22.3 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 255 | 20.5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 81 | 6.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 67 | 5.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 64 | 5.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 63 | 5.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 50 | 4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 28 | 2.2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 25 | 2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 16 | 1.3 |
Indiana Dementia deaths in week ending May 15, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 94 | 7.5 |
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