In the week ending Sept. 10, 2022, there were 1,168 deaths in the state. 23% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.5% were from cancer and 8.8% 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 Sept. 10, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 3, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 269 | 263 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 263 | 296 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 85 | 86 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 61 | 72 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 57 | 63 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 42 | 50 |
Alzheimer's disease | 25 | 40 |
Diabetes mellitus | 23 | 43 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 21 | 29 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 11 | 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 10, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 3, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 100 | 118 |