In the week ending Aug. 6, 2022, there were 671 deaths in the state. 21.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.6% were from cancer and 11.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.5% 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 Aug. 6, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 30, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 144 | 156 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 125 | 116 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 50 | 41 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 48 | 48 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 38 | 20 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 37 | 33 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 32 | 22 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 22 | 27 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 20 | 24 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | 10 |
Mississippi Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 6, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 30, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 64 | 56 |
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