In the week ending July 8, there were 585 deaths in the state. 23.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.3% were from cancer and less than 1.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.1% 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 July 8
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 140 | 23.9 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 107 | 18.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 34 | 5.8 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 31 | 5.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 29 | 5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 15 | 2.6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 14 | 2.4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.7 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 1.7 |
Mississippi Dementia deaths in week ending July 8
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 53 | 9.1 |
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