In the week ending July 22, there were 1,407 deaths in the state. 14.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 16% were from cancer and 2.3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.7% 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 July 22
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 225 | 16 |
| Heart disease | 209 | 14.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 65 | 4.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 62 | 4.4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 46 | 3.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 45 | 3.2 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 18 | 1.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 15 | 1.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 12 | 0.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | 0.7 |
Arizona Dementia deaths in week ending July 22
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 123 | 8.7 |
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