In the week ending June 18, 2022, there were 842 deaths in the state. 19.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.4% were from cancer and 5.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.9% 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 June 18, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending June 18, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending June 11, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 180 | 195 |
| Heart disease | 167 | 203 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 46 | 56 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 45 | 51 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 30 | 26 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 29 | 38 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 26 | 39 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 14 | 15 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 13 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 13 | 17 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending June 18, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending June 18, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending June 11, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 75 | 93 |
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