In the week ending Sept. 3, 2022, there were 668 deaths in the state. 23.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.6% were from cancer and 7.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.9% 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 Sept. 3, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 3, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 156 | 125 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 131 | 122 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 39 | 33 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 32 | 45 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 29 | 43 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 24 | 28 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 20 | 29 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 19 | 11 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 15 | 14 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | < 10 |
Arkansas Dementia deaths in week ending Sept. 3, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 3, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 53 | 57 |
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