In the week ending May 8, 2021, there were 1,122 deaths in the state. 22.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.4% were from cancer and 10.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7% 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 May 8, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 252 | 22.5 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 207 | 18.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 72 | 6.4 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 61 | 5.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 58 | 5.2 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 56 | 5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 41 | 3.7 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 36 | 3.2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 20 | 1.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | 0.9 |
Alabama Dementia deaths in week ending May 8, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 79 | 7 |
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