In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 1,128 deaths in the state. 18.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.6% were from cancer and 5.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.9% 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.
South Carolina top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 221 | 19.6 |
| Heart disease | 204 | 18.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 62 | 5.5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 54 | 4.8 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 52 | 4.6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 39 | 3.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 27 | 2.4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 25 | 2.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 24 | 2.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 16 | 1.4 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 123 | 10.9 |
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