In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 2,113 deaths in the state. 23.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.3% were from cancer and 6.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.7% 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. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 496 | 23.5 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 408 | 19.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 119 | 5.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 100 | 4.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 88 | 4.2 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 77 | 3.6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 73 | 3.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 63 | 3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 54 | 2.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 49 | 2.3 |
Illinois Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 226 | 10.7 |
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