In the week ending Sept. 17, 2022, there were 684 deaths in the state. 24.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.4% were from cancer and 6.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.6% 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. 17, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 17, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 10, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 169 | 153 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 119 | 135 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 42 | 42 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 33 | 36 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 29 | 35 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 23 | 22 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 23 | 30 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 19 | 15 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 17 | 23 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 11 | < 10 |
Arkansas Dementia deaths in week ending Sept. 17, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 17, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 10, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 52 | 62 |
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