In the week ending Dec. 3, there were 4,311 deaths in the state. 21.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.5% were from cancer and 5.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.1% 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.
Florida top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 913 | 21.2 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 797 | 18.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 304 | 7.1 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 208 | 4.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 141 | 3.3 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 130 | 3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 124 | 2.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 88 | 2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 78 | 1.8 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 73 | 1.7 |
Florida Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 348 | 8.1 |
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