In the week ending Dec. 17, there were 1,225 deaths in the state. 17.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.2% were from cancer and 8.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 13.5% 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 Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 248 | 20.2 |
| Heart disease | 218 | 17.8 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 64 | 5.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 54 | 4.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 43 | 3.5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 41 | 3.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 38 | 3.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 31 | 2.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 29 | 2.4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 26 | 2.1 |
Massachusetts Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 165 | 13.5 |
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