In the week ending Nov. 12, there were 645 deaths in the state. 23.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.4% were from cancer and 2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.6% 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.
Arkansas top 10 causes of death in week ending Nov. 12
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 150 | 23.3 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 125 | 19.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 49 | 7.6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 34 | 5.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 24 | 3.7 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 16 | 2.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 14 | 2.2 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 13 | 2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.6 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.6 |
Arkansas Dementia deaths in week ending Nov. 12
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 62 | 9.6 |
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