In the week ending Aug. 27, 2022, there were 587 deaths in the state. 23.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.2% were from cancer and 10.6% 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. 27, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 139 | 163 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 107 | 124 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 40 | 29 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 39 | 38 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 33 | 36 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 29 | 27 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 23 | 26 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 20 | 21 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 16 | 10 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 10 | 19 |
Mississippi Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 27, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 56 | 50 |
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