In the week ending Oct. 1, 2022, there were 2,040 deaths in the state. 24.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.9% were from cancer and 8.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.8% 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 Oct. 1, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 24, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 493 | 457 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 386 | 401 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 105 | 86 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 87 | 61 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 81 | 67 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 66 | 60 |
Diabetes mellitus | 60 | 41 |
Alzheimer's disease | 46 | 29 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 41 | 44 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 38 | 25 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 1, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 24, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 180 | 169 |