In the week ending June 18, there were 370 deaths in the state. 23.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 23.5% were from cancer and less than 2.7% 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.
Iowa top 10 causes of death in week ending June 18
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 87 | 23.5 |
| Heart disease | 86 | 23.2 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 21 | 5.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 17 | 4.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 17 | 4.6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 11 | 3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 2.7 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 2.7 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 2.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 2.7 |
Alerts Sign-up