In the week ending April 9, 2022, there were 835 deaths in the state. 16.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.9% were from cancer and 4.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12% 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.
North Carolina top 10 causes of death in week ending April 9, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending April 9, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending April 2, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 183 | 218 |
| Heart disease | 136 | 153 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 52 | 43 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 51 | 59 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 47 | 38 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 24 | 14 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 24 | 16 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 24 | 34 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 15 | 16 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 12 |
North Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending April 9, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending April 9, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending April 2, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 100 | 95 |
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