In the week ending July 9, 2022, there were 1,024 deaths in the state. 24.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.6% were from cancer and 4.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 13.1% 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 July 9, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 2, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 248 | 233 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 221 | 245 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 79 | 75 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 47 | 59 |
Alzheimer's disease | 41 | 31 |
Diabetes mellitus | 33 | 48 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 27 | 46 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 21 | 36 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 20 | 29 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 14 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending July 9, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 2, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 134 | 96 |