In the week ending May 7, there were 495 deaths in the state. 24.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.4% were from cancer and 2% were from COVID-19.
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.
Alabama top 10 causes of death in week ending May 7
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 120 | 24.2 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 96 | 19.4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 37 | 7.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 30 | 6.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 17 | 3.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 16 | 3.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 11 | 2.2 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 10 | 2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 2 |
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