In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 272 deaths in the state. 19.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.1% were from cancer and 8.8% 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.
Nebraska top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 60 | 22.1 |
| Heart disease | 54 | 19.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 24 | 8.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 16 | 5.9 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 15 | 5.5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 14 | 5.1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 11 | 4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 10 | 3.7 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 3.7 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 3.7 |
Nebraska Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 34 | 12.5 |
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