In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 1,181 deaths in the state. 21.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.2% were from cancer and 6.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.5% 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.
Wisconsin top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 253 | 21.4 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 215 | 18.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 60 | 5.1 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 52 | 4.4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 48 | 4.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 47 | 4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 29 | 2.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 28 | 2.4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 26 | 2.2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 15 | 1.3 |
Wisconsin Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 136 | 11.5 |
Alerts Sign-up