In the week ending Oct. 22, 2022, there were 674 deaths in the state. 25.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.8% were from cancer and 2.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.2% 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. 22, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 22, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 15, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 170 | 165 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 120 | 125 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 41 | 45 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 32 | 28 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 26 | 32 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 21 | 29 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 19 | 10 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 18 | 15 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 18 | 31 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | 15 |
Mississippi Dementia deaths in week ending Oct. 22, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 22, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 15, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 55 | 51 |
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