There were 39 deaths with cancer listed as the underlying cause reported in Hawaii during the week ending May 28, 2022, no changes from the previous week, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending May 28, 2022, there were 216 deaths in the state. 21.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.1% were from cancer and less than 4.6% 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 | Deaths in Week Ending May 28, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending May 21, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 46 | 56 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 39 | 39 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 12 | 10 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 10 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | < 10 | 17 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
