In the week ending May 28, 2022, there were 1,222 deaths in the state. 21% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.9% were from cancer and 4.7% were from COVID-19.
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 May 28, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 28, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending May 21, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 257 | 312 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 231 | 280 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 78 | 76 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 69 | 85 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 49 | 56 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 43 | 39 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 34 | 29 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 24 | 17 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 18 | 24 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 17 | 16 |
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