In the week ending May 1, 2021, there were 2,642 deaths in the state. 21.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.1% were from cancer and 18.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.1% 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 May 1, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 579 | 21.9 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 504 | 19.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 252 | 9.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 234 | 8.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 109 | 4.1 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 101 | 3.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 82 | 3.1 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 67 | 2.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 53 | 2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 28 | 1.1 |
Pennsylvania Dementia deaths in week ending May 1, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 213 | 8.1 |
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