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.
Massachusetts top 10 causes of death in week ending June 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 235 | 21.4 |
| Heart disease | 197 | 17.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 51 | 4.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 42 | 3.8 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 35 | 3.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 27 | 2.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 26 | 2.4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 15 | 1.4 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 11 | 1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 0.9 |
Massachusetts Dementia deaths in week ending June 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 123 | 11.2 |
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