In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 933 deaths in the state. 20.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21% were from cancer and 11.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.3% 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.
Kentucky top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 196 | 21 |
| Heart disease | 191 | 20.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 69 | 7.4 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 65 | 7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 51 | 5.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 41 | 4.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 41 | 4.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 35 | 3.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 25 | 2.7 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 17 | 1.8 |
Kentucky Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 96 | 10.3 |
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