In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 1,227 deaths in the state. 20.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 16.8% were from cancer and 12% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.1% 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.
Arizona top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 257 | 20.9 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 206 | 16.8 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 86 | 7 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 71 | 5.8 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 61 | 5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 51 | 4.2 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 48 | 3.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 25 | 2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 25 | 2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 22 | 1.8 |
Arizona Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 136 | 11.1 |
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