In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 4,443 deaths in the state. 20.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.1% were from cancer and 5.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.6% 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. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 893 | 20.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 891 | 20.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 301 | 6.8 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 233 | 5.2 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 144 | 3.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 136 | 3.1 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 124 | 2.8 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 100 | 2.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 69 | 1.6 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 62 | 1.4 |
Florida Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 383 | 8.6 |
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