In the week ending Dec. 17, there were 313 deaths in the state. 19.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 28.1% were from cancer and less than 3.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 28.4% 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 Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 88 | 28.1 |
| Heart disease | 61 | 19.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 25 | 8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 21 | 6.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 18 | 5.8 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 10 | 3.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 3.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 3.2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 3.2 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 3.2 |
Louisiana Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 89 | 28.4 |
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