Hawkeye Reporter

There were less than 10 deaths from influenza and pneumonia reported in Iowa in the week ending July 24, making up less than 1.7 percent of total deaths by all causes in Iowa, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending July 24, there were 600 deaths in the state. 23.8 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18 percent were from cancer and 2.3 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.5 percent 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	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Heart disease	143	23.8
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	108	18
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	34	5.7
Alzheimer's disease	23	3.8
Diabetes mellitus	21	3.5
Cerebrovascular diseases	21	3.5
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	14	2.3
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	11	1.8
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 1.7
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	< 10	< 1.7

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	51	8.5