Big Sky Times

There were 11 deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases reported in Montana in the week ending July 1, making up 5.1% of total deaths by all causes in Montana, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending July 1, there were 215 deaths in the state. 19.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 15.8% were from cancer and less than 4.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.1% 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	Number of Deaths	% of Total Deaths
Heart disease	42	19.5
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	34	15.8
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	11	5.1
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 4.7
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 4.7
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 4.7
Alzheimer's disease	< 10	< 4.7
Cerebrovascular diseases	< 10	< 4.7
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	< 10	< 4.7
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	< 10	< 4.7

Cause of Death	Number of Deaths	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	26	12.1