In the week ending Nov. 5, 2022, there were 665 deaths in the state. 20.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.6% were from cancer and 3.3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.8% 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 Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 137 | 129 |
Heart disease | 136 | 171 |
Alzheimer's disease | 32 | 24 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 32 | 46 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 31 | 34 |
Diabetes mellitus | 25 | 22 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 17 | 10 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 16 | 10 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 12 | 18 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 10 | 11 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 65 | 61 |