Natural State News

There were less than 10 deaths from influenza and pneumonia reported in Arkansas in the week ending May 15, making up less than 1.5 percent of total deaths by all causes in Arkansas, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending May 15, there were 685 deaths in the state. 21.9 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21 percent were from cancer and 7.4 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.2 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	150	21.9
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	144	21
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	40	5.8
Cerebrovascular diseases	36	5.3
Alzheimer's disease	29	4.2
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	27	3.9
Diabetes mellitus	26	3.8
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	24	3.5
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	14	2
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 1.5

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	63	9.2