In the week ending June 25, 2022, there were 639 deaths in the state. 28% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 23.3% were from cancer and 1.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8% 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 June 25, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending June 25, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending June 18, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 179 | 176 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 149 | 147 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 33 | 31 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 32 | 49 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 24 | 30 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 23 | 25 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 11 | 25 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 11 | 14 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
Louisiana Dementia deaths in week ending June 25, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending June 25, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending June 18, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 51 | 71 |
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