In the week ending March 26, 2022, there were 508 deaths in the state. 22.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.1% were from cancer and 10% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.9% 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 March 26, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 26, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 19, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 113 | 124 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 92 | 81 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 32 | 39 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 31 | 23 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 25 | 19 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 21 | 24 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 20 | 37 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 20 | 14 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 12 | 10 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Arkansas Dementia deaths in week ending March 26, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 26, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 19, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 45 | 46 |
Alerts Sign-up