In the week ending June 19, 2021, there were 4,378 deaths in the state. 21.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.1% were from cancer and 7.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.4% 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 June 19, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 925 | 21.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 880 | 20.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 286 | 6.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 203 | 4.6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 180 | 4.1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 161 | 3.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 128 | 2.9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 123 | 2.8 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 58 | 1.3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 37 | 0.8 |
Florida Dementia deaths in week ending June 19, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 366 | 8.4 |
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