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Figure 11. SpecificLeadingCauses ofDeathAmongArizonaResident Females, 65Years and
Older, 2002 ? 2012
The greatest increase inmortality rate of all the causes examinedwas for dementia, representing
a 54 percent increase from 2002 (87.1 per 100,000) to 2012 (133.8 per 100,000). Similarly, the
number of deaths fromAlzheimer?s disease rose 72 percent during the period, representing a 27
percent increase in theAlzheimer?smortality rate. Themortality rate increased slightly for
Parkinson?s disease from 2002 (78.8 per 100,000) to 2012 (83.5 per 100,000).
Contrary to previouslymentioned increases, therewere several noteworthydecreases.While
rates for all causes considered diseases of the heart showed significant reductions, the largest
decreasewas a 53 percent decrease in the rate of death from acutemyocardial infarction,
followed by a 26 percent decrease in the rate of death from atherosclerotic cardiovascular
disease. Finally, the rate of death from stroke declined by41 percent for residentmales 65 years
and over during the period.
