In the week ending Aug. 27, 2022, there were 722 deaths in the state. 26.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 23.1% were from cancer and 7.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.3% 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. 27, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 189 | 189 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 167 | 146 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 40 | 46 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 35 | 37 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 34 | 37 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 31 | 38 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 26 | 28 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 21 | 30 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 15 | 18 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 13 |
Louisiana Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 27, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 67 | 63 |
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