In the week ending May 14, 2022, there were 981 deaths in the state. 16.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.4% were from cancer and 8.5% were from COVID-19.
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 May 14, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 14, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending May 7, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 190 | 227 |
| Heart disease | 165 | 190 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 50 | 42 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 45 | 33 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 38 | 27 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 35 | 32 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 28 | 22 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 22 | 31 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 22 | 22 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 17 | 15 |
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