In the week ending July 29, there were 572 deaths in the state. 21.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 24.7% were from cancer and less than 1.7% were from COVID-19. 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 29
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 141 | 24.7 |
| Heart disease | 125 | 21.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 28 | 4.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 23 | 4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 19 | 3.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 18 | 3.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 14 | 2.4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.7 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 1.7 |
Iowa Dementia deaths in week ending July 29
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 48 | 8.4 |
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