In the week ending May 15, there were 851 deaths in the state. 22.1 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.7 percent were from cancer and 9 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8 percent 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.
Louisiana top 10 causes of death in week ending May 15
| Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 188 | 22.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 159 | 18.7 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 50 | 5.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 40 | 4.7 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 37 | 4.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 36 | 4.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 29 | 3.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 29 | 3.4 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 25 | 2.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 15 | 1.8 |
Louisiana Dementia deaths in week ending May 15
| Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 68 | 8 |
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