Hawkeye Reporter

There were 17 deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases reported in Iowa in the week ending January 1, making up 3.9 percent of total deaths by all causes in Iowa, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending January 1, there were 434 deaths in the state. 25.6 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 15.7 percent were from cancer and 38 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.4 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	111	25.6
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	87	20
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	78	18
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	68	15.7
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	17	3.9
Alzheimer's disease	16	3.7
Cerebrovascular diseases	12	2.8
Diabetes mellitus	10	2.3
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 2.3
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 2.3

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	32	7.4