In the week ending June 24, there were 1,217 deaths in the state. 20% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.6% were from cancer and 1% 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.
Arizona top 10 causes of death in week ending June 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 243 | 20 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 238 | 19.6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 56 | 4.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 52 | 4.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 41 | 3.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 38 | 3.1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 16 | 1.3 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 12 | 1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 0.8 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 0.8 |
Arizona Dementia deaths in week ending June 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 100 | 8.2 |
Alerts Sign-up