In the week ending Aug. 13, 2022, there were 1,547 deaths in the state. 19.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.1% were from cancer and 10.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.4% 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 Aug. 13, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 296 | 331 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 295 | 287 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 88 | 101 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 81 | 68 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 70 | 65 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 69 | 72 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 67 | 63 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 48 | 47 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 25 | 15 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 14 | 19 |
Tennessee Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 13, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 146 | 143 |
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