In the week ending May 22, 2021, there were 670 deaths in the state. 23% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.9% were from cancer and 5.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.7% 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 May 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 22, 2021 | Deaths in Week Ending May 15, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 154 | 150 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 120 | 144 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 37 | 40 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 34 | 26 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 32 | 29 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 29 | 36 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 20 | 27 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 16 | 24 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 12 | 14 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Arkansas Dementia deaths in week ending May 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 22, 2021 | Deaths in Week Ending May 15, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 58 | 63 |
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