In the week ending May 22, 2021, there were 1,456 deaths in the state. 22.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.9% were from cancer and 10.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.6% 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.
New Jersey top 10 causes of death in week ending May 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 327 | 22.5 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 304 | 20.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 85 | 5.8 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 69 | 4.7 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 64 | 4.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 45 | 3.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 44 | 3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 37 | 2.5 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 26 | 1.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 13 | 0.9 |
New Jersey Dementia deaths in week ending May 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 110 | 7.6 |
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