Aloha State News

There were 38 deaths from diseases of the heart reported in Hawaii in the week ending June 12, making up 17.3 percent of total deaths by all causes in Hawaii, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending June 12, there were 220 deaths in the state. 17.3 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.3 percent were from cancer and less than 4.5 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.4 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
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	49	22.3
Heart disease	38	17.3
Cerebrovascular diseases	22	10
Alzheimer's disease	14	6.4
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 4.5
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 4.5
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 4.5
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	< 10	< 4.5
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	< 10	< 4.5
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	< 10	< 4.5

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	25	11.4