In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 1,807 deaths in the state. 17.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.4% were from cancer and 10% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 13.2% 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.
Ohio top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 350 | 19.4 |
| Heart disease | 321 | 17.8 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 105 | 5.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 103 | 5.7 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 98 | 5.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 75 | 4.2 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 70 | 3.9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 60 | 3.3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 50 | 2.8 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 32 | 1.8 |
Ohio Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 238 | 13.2 |
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