Enchantment State News

There were 17 deaths from cerebrovascular diseases reported in New Mexico in the week ending May 22, making up 4.6 percent of total deaths by all causes in New Mexico, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending May 22, there were 372 deaths in the state. 16.4 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.7 percent were from cancer and 9.4 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.3 percent 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.

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	77	20.7
Heart disease	61	16.4
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	18	4.8
Cerebrovascular diseases	17	4.6
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	17	4.6
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	15	4
Alzheimer's disease	10	2.7
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 2.7
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 2.7
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	0	0

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	27	7.3