In the week ending July 8, there were 1,116 deaths in the state. 16.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 23.7% were from cancer and less than 0.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.7% 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 July 8
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 265 | 23.7 |
| Heart disease | 188 | 16.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 59 | 5.3 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 40 | 3.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 25 | 2.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 23 | 2.1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 18 | 1.6 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 16 | 1.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 0.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 0.9 |
Massachusetts Dementia deaths in week ending July 8
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 97 | 8.7 |
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