In the week ending Aug. 13, 2022, there were 668 deaths in the state. 20.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.3% were from cancer and 9.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.2% 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 Aug. 13, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 142 | 116 |
| Heart disease | 134 | 131 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 37 | 44 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 34 | 39 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 27 | 25 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 27 | 29 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 25 | 29 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 24 | 21 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 17 | 12 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | 10 |
Arkansas Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 13, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 68 | 46 |
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