In the week ending May 21, 2022, there were 811 deaths in the state. 18% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.6% were from cancer and 12% 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 21, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 21, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending May 14, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 175 | 190 |
| Heart disease | 146 | 165 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 52 | 45 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 45 | 38 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 44 | 50 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 23 | 28 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 20 | 35 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 16 | 22 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 14 | 22 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | 17 |
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