There were 27 deaths with diabetes mellitus listed as the underlying cause reported in Massachusetts during the week ending June 24, a 17.4% increase over the previous week, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending June 24, there were 1,099 deaths in the state. 17.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.4% were from cancer and 1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.2% 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.
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending June 24 | Deaths in Week Ending June 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 235 | 280 |
| Heart disease | 197 | 211 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 51 | 36 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 42 | 48 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 35 | 32 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 27 | 23 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 26 | 18 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 15 | 22 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 11 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending June 24 | Deaths in Week Ending June 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 123 | 136 |
