In the week ending Dec. 3, there were 1,139 deaths in the state. 26.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.4% were from cancer and 3.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.5% 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.
Alabama top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 303 | 26.6 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 221 | 19.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 61 | 5.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 57 | 5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 48 | 4.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 32 | 2.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 30 | 2.6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 24 | 2.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 23 | 2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 17 | 1.5 |
Alabama Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 108 | 9.5 |
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