In the week ending Sept. 3, 2022, there were 827 deaths in the state. 23% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.4% were from cancer and 13.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.6% 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 Sept. 3, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 3, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 190 | 201 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 185 | 192 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 69 | 84 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 54 | 49 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 44 | 47 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 30 | 30 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 28 | 23 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 22 | 14 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 19 | 24 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 13 |
Kentucky Dementia deaths in week ending Sept. 3, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 3, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 79 | 75 |
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