There were less than 10 deaths from Alzheimer’s disease reported in South Dakota in the week ending August 14, making up less than 6.4 percent of total deaths by all causes in South Dakota, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending August 14, there were 157 deaths in the state. 18.5 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.7 percent were from cancer and less than 6.4 percent were from COVID-19.
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.
| Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 34 | 21.7 |
| Heart disease | 29 | 18.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 6.4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 6.4 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | < 10 | < 6.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 6.4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | < 6.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 6.4 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 6.4 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 0 | 0 |
