There were 30 deaths from Alzheimer’s disease reported in Iowa in the week ending Nov. 12, making up 5.4% of total deaths by all causes in Iowa, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Nov. 12, there were 558 deaths in the state. 26.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 16.1% were from cancer and 3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.8% 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.
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 149 | 26.7 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 90 | 16.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 33 | 5.9 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 30 | 5.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 28 | 5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 17 | 3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 11 | 2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.8 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.8 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.8 |
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 66 | 11.8 |
