In the week ending Dec. 3, there were 1,747 deaths in the state. 21.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 16.4% were from cancer and 6.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9% 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.
Tennessee top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 371 | 21.2 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 287 | 16.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 94 | 5.4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 90 | 5.2 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 68 | 3.9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 65 | 3.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 65 | 3.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 51 | 2.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 44 | 2.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 24 | 1.4 |
Tennessee Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 158 | 9 |
Alerts Sign-up