In the week ending May 15, 2021, there were 4,506 deaths in the state. 19.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.6% were from cancer and 13.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.4% 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 May 15, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 928 | 20.6 |
| Heart disease | 875 | 19.4 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 319 | 7.1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 285 | 6.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 283 | 6.3 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 186 | 4.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 133 | 3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 107 | 2.4 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 53 | 1.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 51 | 1.1 |
Florida Dementia deaths in week ending May 15, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 332 | 7.4 |
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