In the week ending Nov. 5, there were 376 deaths in the state. 13.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17% were from cancer and 8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.9% 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.
New Mexico top 10 causes of death in week ending Nov. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 64 | 17 |
| Heart disease | 51 | 13.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 21 | 5.6 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 19 | 5.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 19 | 5.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 18 | 4.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 12 | 3.2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 12 | 3.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 2.7 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 2.7 |
New Mexico Dementia deaths in week ending Nov. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 41 | 10.9 |
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