In the week ending June 24, there were 892 deaths in the state. 17.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.7% were from cancer and 1.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.3% 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 June 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 167 | 18.7 |
| Heart disease | 156 | 17.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 40 | 4.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 38 | 4.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 34 | 3.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 23 | 2.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 15 | 1.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 11 | 1.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.1 |
Colorado Dementia deaths in week ending June 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 101 | 11.3 |
Alerts Sign-up