In the week ending Dec. 17, there were 764 deaths in the state. 16.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.7% were from cancer and 7.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.6% 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.
Colorado top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 158 | 20.7 |
| Heart disease | 123 | 16.1 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 53 | 6.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 36 | 4.7 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 34 | 4.5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 33 | 4.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 23 | 3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 18 | 2.4 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 13 | 1.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.3 |
Colorado Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 96 | 12.6 |
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