In the week ending Aug. 5, there were 468 deaths in the state. 23.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22% were from cancer and less than 2.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.8% 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 Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 112 | 23.9 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 103 | 22 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 34 | 7.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 25 | 5.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 21 | 4.5 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 13 | 2.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 2.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 2.1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 2.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 2.1 |
Iowa Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 46 | 9.8 |
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