In the week ending Nov. 12, there were 1,188 deaths in the state. 18.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.9% were from cancer and 8.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.6% 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.
Massachusetts top 10 causes of death in week ending Nov. 12
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 248 | 20.9 |
| Heart disease | 217 | 18.3 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 54 | 4.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 50 | 4.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 43 | 3.6 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 42 | 3.5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 33 | 2.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 25 | 2.1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 20 | 1.7 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 20 | 1.7 |
Massachusetts Dementia deaths in week ending Nov. 12
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 150 | 12.6 |
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