In the week ending Sept. 24, 2022, there were 1,471 deaths in the state. 22.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.8% were from cancer and 6.1% 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.
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 24, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 17, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 325 | 313 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 277 | 303 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 84 | 53 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 55 | 47 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 50 | 45 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 46 | 29 |
Alzheimer's disease | 38 | 36 |
Diabetes mellitus | 35 | 31 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 34 | 28 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 23 | 15 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 24, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 17, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 112 | 102 |