In the week ending July 9, 2022, there were 632 deaths in the state. 29.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.7% were from cancer and 8.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.9% 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 July 9, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending July 9, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 2, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 188 | 185 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 118 | 134 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 38 | 46 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 32 | 18 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 31 | 22 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 30 | 38 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 24 | 13 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 14 | 18 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 13 | 21 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Louisiana Dementia deaths in week ending July 9, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending July 9, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 2, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 69 | 69 |
Alerts Sign-up