In the week ending Oct. 8, 2022, there were 370 deaths in the state. 15.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 14.9% were from cancer and less than 2.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.5% 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.
New Mexico top 10 causes of death in week ending Oct. 8, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 8, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 1, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 56 | 63 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 55 | 72 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 21 | 15 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 16 | 11 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 16 | 20 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 10 | 13 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | 13 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | 17 |
New Mexico Dementia deaths in week ending Oct. 8, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 8, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 1, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 39 | 35 |
Alerts Sign-up