In the week ending Aug. 5, there were 541 deaths in the state. 24.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.6% were from cancer and less than 1.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.6% 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 Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 134 | 24.8 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 106 | 19.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 37 | 6.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 35 | 6.5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 34 | 6.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 17 | 3.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 10 | 1.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.8 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.8 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 1.8 |
Louisiana Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 68 | 12.6 |
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