In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 1,168 deaths in the state. 17.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.8% were from cancer and 9.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.2% 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.
Massachusetts top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 219 | 18.8 |
| Heart disease | 202 | 17.3 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 61 | 5.2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 47 | 4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 46 | 3.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 42 | 3.6 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 36 | 3.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 33 | 2.8 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 32 | 2.7 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 27 | 2.3 |
Massachusetts Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 142 | 12.2 |
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