In the week ending June 11, 2022, there were 640 deaths in the state. 24.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20% were from cancer and 3.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.5% 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.
Oklahoma top 10 causes of death in week ending June 11, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending June 11, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending June 4, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 158 | 146 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 128 | 125 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 45 | 36 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 28 | 36 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 21 | 25 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 20 | 22 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 18 | 24 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
Oklahoma Dementia deaths in week ending June 11, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending June 11, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending June 4, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 61 | 53 |
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