In the week ending April 9, 2022, there were 415 deaths in the state. 25.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 23.6% were from cancer and 2.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.4% 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 April 9, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending April 9, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending April 2, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 107 | 132 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 98 | 114 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 28 | 23 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 27 | 23 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 21 | 28 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 13 | 12 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 12 | 13 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 10 | 18 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 11 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | 10 |
Louisiana Dementia deaths in week ending April 9, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending April 9, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending April 2, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 43 | 42 |
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