In the week ending May 1, 2021, there were 1,629 deaths in the state. 21.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.1% were from cancer and 22.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.9% 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.
New Jersey top 10 causes of death in week ending May 1, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 344 | 21.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 295 | 18.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 194 | 11.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 179 | 11 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 76 | 4.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 49 | 3 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 35 | 2.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 34 | 2.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 28 | 1.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 25 | 1.5 |
New Jersey Dementia deaths in week ending May 1, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 129 | 7.9 |
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