In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 1,057 deaths in the state. 23.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.4% were from cancer and 5.3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10% 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. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 251 | 23.7 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 195 | 18.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 70 | 6.6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 55 | 5.2 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 48 | 4.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 33 | 3.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 32 | 3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 25 | 2.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 24 | 2.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 22 | 2.1 |
Alabama Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 106 | 10 |
Alerts Sign-up