In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 1,599 deaths in the state. 25.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 16.6% were from cancer and 8.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.4% 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 Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 409 | 25.6 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 266 | 16.6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 84 | 5.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 70 | 4.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 62 | 3.9 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 53 | 3.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 50 | 3.1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 40 | 2.5 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 35 | 2.2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 27 | 1.7 |
New Jersey Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 150 | 9.4 |
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