In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 345 deaths in the state. 16.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 15.9% were from cancer and 8.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.6% 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 Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 58 | 16.8 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 55 | 15.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 29 | 8.4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 17 | 4.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 17 | 4.9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 13 | 3.8 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 11 | 3.2 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 11 | 3.2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 11 | 3.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 2.9 |
New Mexico Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 40 | 11.6 |
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