In the week ending June 24, there were 1,814 deaths in the state. 24.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.2% were from cancer and 2.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.5% 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.
Michigan top 10 causes of death in week ending June 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 452 | 24.9 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 367 | 20.2 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 107 | 5.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 87 | 4.8 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 82 | 4.5 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 63 | 3.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 31 | 1.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 26 | 1.4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 19 | 1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 13 | 0.7 |
Michigan Dementia deaths in week ending June 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 154 | 8.5 |
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