There were 14 deaths from Alzheimer’s disease reported in Idaho in the week ending July 15, making up 4.7% of total deaths by all causes in Idaho, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending July 15, there were 296 deaths in the state. 19.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.3% were from cancer and less than 3.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.1% 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.
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 57 | 19.3 |
| Heart disease | 57 | 19.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 15 | 5.1 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 14 | 4.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 3.4 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 3.4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 3.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 3.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 3.4 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 3.4 |
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 27 | 9.1 |
