In the week ending July 29, there were 1,068 deaths in the state. 17.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.8% were from cancer and less than 0.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.7% 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 29
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 243 | 22.8 |
| Heart disease | 189 | 17.7 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 40 | 3.7 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 34 | 3.2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 26 | 2.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 22 | 2.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 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 29
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 114 | 10.7 |
Alerts Sign-up