In the week ending Dec. 17, there were 5,377 deaths in the state. 20.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.3% were from cancer and 9.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.5% 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.
California top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 986 | 18.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 368 | 6.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 315 | 5.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 298 | 5.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 242 | 4.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 217 | 4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 207 | 3.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 179 | 3.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 99 | 1.8 |
| Heart disease | 1,126 | 20.9 |
California Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 673 | 12.5 |
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