There were 16 deaths with COVID-19 listed as a contributing cause reported in Arkansas in the week ending May 1, making up 2.5 percent of total deaths by all causes in Arkansas, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending May 1, there were 634 deaths in the state. 23.3 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.7 percent were from cancer and 4.4 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.7 percent 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.
| Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 148 | 23.3 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 131 | 20.7 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 41 | 6.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 33 | 5.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 21 | 3.3 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 20 | 3.2 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 16 | 2.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 12 | 1.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.6 |
| Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 49 | 7.7 |
