In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 955 deaths in the state. 19.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22% were from cancer and 9.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.7% 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.
Minnesota top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 210 | 22 |
| Heart disease | 184 | 19.3 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 54 | 5.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 49 | 5.1 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 48 | 5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 44 | 4.6 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 34 | 3.6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 26 | 2.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 25 | 2.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 16 | 1.7 |
Minnesota Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 112 | 11.7 |
Alerts Sign-up