In the week ending June 25, 2022, there were 577 deaths in the state. 18.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.8% were from cancer and 9.2% 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.
Oregon top 10 causes of death in week ending June 25, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending June 25, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending June 18, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 120 | 144 |
| Heart disease | 106 | 139 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 44 | 40 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 33 | 29 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 26 | 36 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 24 | 36 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 21 | 24 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 20 | 16 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
Oregon Dementia deaths in week ending June 25, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending June 25, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending June 18, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 62 | 68 |
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