In the week ending May 22, 2021, there were 824 deaths in the state. 26.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.1% were from cancer and 7.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 6.2% 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.
Louisiana top 10 causes of death in week ending May 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 220 | 26.7 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 157 | 19.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 50 | 6.1 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 39 | 4.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 33 | 4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 31 | 3.8 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 30 | 3.6 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 29 | 3.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 25 | 3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.2 |
Louisiana Dementia deaths in week ending May 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 51 | 6.2 |
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