In the week ending Dec. 3, there were 671 deaths in the state. 26.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.9% were from cancer and 3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.6% 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.
Mississippi top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 178 | 26.5 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 120 | 17.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 53 | 7.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 39 | 5.8 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 30 | 4.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 27 | 4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 27 | 4 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 20 | 3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 13 | 1.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.5 |
Mississippi Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 58 | 8.6 |
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