In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 715 deaths in the state. 24.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.9% were from cancer and 6.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9% 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 Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 177 | 24.8 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 128 | 17.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 53 | 7.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 31 | 4.3 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 28 | 3.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 27 | 3.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 25 | 3.5 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 23 | 3.2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 18 | 2.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 16 | 2.2 |
Arkansas Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 10, 2022
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 64 | 9 |
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