In the week ending May 15, 2021, there were 1,681 deaths in the state. 20.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.7% 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.
Georgia top 10 causes of death in week ending May 15, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 345 | 20.5 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 297 | 17.7 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 113 | 6.7 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 90 | 5.4 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 69 | 4.1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 62 | 3.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 60 | 3.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 52 | 3.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 52 | 3.1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 15 | 0.9 |
Georgia Dementia deaths in week ending May 15, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 142 | 8.4 |
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