In the week ending January 1, there were 1,784 deaths in the state. 17.1 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 13.6 percent were from cancer and 54.4 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 6.9 percent 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.
Pennsylvania top 10 causes of death in week ending January 1
| Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 500 | 28 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 470 | 26.3 |
| Heart disease | 305 | 17.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 242 | 13.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 63 | 3.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 57 | 3.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 43 | 2.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 34 | 1.9 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 33 | 1.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 20 | 1.1 |
Pennsylvania Dementia deaths in week ending January 1
| Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 123 | 6.9 |
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