In the week ending July 22, there were 1,075 deaths in the state. 15.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 23.7% were from cancer and less than 0.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.2% 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 July 22
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 255 | 23.7 |
| Heart disease | 167 | 15.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 47 | 4.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 41 | 3.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 25 | 2.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 22 | 2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 19 | 1.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 0.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 0.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 0.9 |
Massachusetts Dementia deaths in week ending July 22
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 110 | 10.2 |
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