In the week ending July 15, there were 4,292 deaths in the state. 21.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.4% were from cancer and 2.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.5% 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 July 15
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 919 | 21.4 |
| Heart disease | 911 | 21.2 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 321 | 7.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 211 | 4.9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 122 | 2.8 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 102 | 2.4 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 67 | 1.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 58 | 1.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 44 | 1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 34 | 0.8 |
Florida Dementia deaths in week ending July 15
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 324 | 7.5 |
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