In the week ending Dec. 17, there were 2,230 deaths in the state. 22.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.1% were from cancer and 9% 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.
Illinois top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 496 | 22.2 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 427 | 19.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 123 | 5.5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 120 | 5.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 106 | 4.8 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 93 | 4.2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 80 | 3.6 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 69 | 3.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 65 | 2.9 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 56 | 2.5 |
Illinois Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 235 | 10.5 |
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