In the week ending Sept. 17, 2022, there were 2,356 deaths in the state. 20.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.7% were from cancer and 7.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.3% 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.
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 17, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 10, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 488 | 492 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 465 | 456 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 124 | 118 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 115 | 86 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 107 | 137 |
Alzheimer's disease | 105 | 88 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 74 | 84 |
Diabetes mellitus | 66 | 77 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 45 | 45 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 27 | 27 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 17, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 10, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 219 | 196 |