In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 1,967 deaths in the state. 23.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.6% were from cancer and 7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.8% 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 Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 469 | 23.8 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 366 | 18.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 113 | 5.7 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 94 | 4.8 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 85 | 4.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 80 | 4.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 66 | 3.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 52 | 2.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 36 | 1.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 33 | 1.7 |
Michigan Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 173 | 8.8 |
Alerts Sign-up