In the week ending Oct. 8, 2022, there were 661 deaths in the state. 23.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.7% were from cancer and 6.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.5% 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 Oct. 8, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 8, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 1, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 153 | 159 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 117 | 124 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 41 | 32 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 40 | 33 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 38 | 32 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 25 | 20 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 20 | 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 17 | 13 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 14 | 23 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Mississippi Dementia deaths in week ending Oct. 8, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 8, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 1, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 56 | 50 |
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