In the week ending July 23, 2022, there were 1,805 deaths in the state. 23.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.7% were from cancer and 5.2% 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.
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending July 23, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 16, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 427 | 467 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 391 | 405 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 99 | 108 |
Alzheimer's disease | 83 | 66 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 78 | 88 |
Diabetes mellitus | 59 | 52 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 57 | 74 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 37 | 50 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 25 | 23 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 24 | 28 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending July 23, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 16, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 153 | 127 |