In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 836 deaths in the state. 26.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19% were from cancer and 5.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 14.6% 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. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 218 | 26.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 159 | 19 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 53 | 6.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 52 | 6.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 50 | 6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 25 | 3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 24 | 2.9 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 22 | 2.6 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 18 | 2.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 16 | 1.9 |
Alabama Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 122 | 14.6 |
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