Aloha State News

There were 50 deaths from cancer reported in Hawaii in the week ending May 29, making up 23.8 percent of total deaths by all causes in Hawaii, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending May 29, there were 210 deaths in the state. 24.3 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 23.8 percent were from cancer and less than 4.8 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.6 percent 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.

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Heart disease	51	24.3
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	50	23.8
Cerebrovascular diseases	11	5.2
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 4.8
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 4.8
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 4.8
Alzheimer's disease	< 10	< 4.8
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	< 10	< 4.8
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	< 10	< 4.8
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	< 10	< 4.8

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	16	7.6