In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 379 deaths in the state. 18.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 12.7% were from cancer and 10.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10% 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. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 70 | 18.5 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 48 | 12.7 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 27 | 7.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 22 | 5.8 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 19 | 5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 15 | 4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 14 | 3.7 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 14 | 3.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 14 | 3.7 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 2.6 |
New Mexico Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 38 | 10 |
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