In the week ending July 15, there were 526 deaths in the state. 25.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease and 20.2% were from cancer Additionally, 8.4% 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.
Iowa top 10 causes of death in week ending July 15
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 134 | 25.5 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 106 | 20.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 25 | 4.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 22 | 4.2 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 19 | 3.6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 13 | 2.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.9 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 1.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 0 | 0 |
Iowa Dementia deaths in week ending July 15
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 44 | 8.4 |
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