In the week ending July 8, there were 1,086 deaths in the state. 25.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.9% were from cancer and 0.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.3% 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 July 8
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 278 | 25.6 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 205 | 18.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 66 | 6.1 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 47 | 4.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 43 | 4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 34 | 3.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 27 | 2.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 18 | 1.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 10 | 0.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 0.9 |
Alabama Dementia deaths in week ending July 8
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 90 | 8.3 |
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