In the week ending March 26, 2022, there were 423 deaths in the state. 24.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.8% were from cancer and 7.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.4% 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 March 26, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 26, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 19, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 104 | 147 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 88 | 94 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 31 | 22 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 30 | 37 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 22 | 24 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 20 | 30 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 16 | 14 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 12 | 11 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 10 | 14 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
Mississippi Dementia deaths in week ending March 26, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 26, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 19, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 44 | 42 |
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