In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 2,607 deaths in the state. 21.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.7% were from cancer and 7.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.3% 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. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 551 | 21.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 462 | 17.7 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 143 | 5.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 143 | 5.5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 124 | 4.8 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 110 | 4.2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 81 | 3.1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 78 | 3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 63 | 2.4 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 47 | 1.8 |
Ohio Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 268 | 10.3 |
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