In the week ending June 17, there were 516 deaths in the state. 19.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.3% were from cancer and less than 1.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12% 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.
Kansas top 10 causes of death in week ending June 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 105 | 20.3 |
| Heart disease | 101 | 19.6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 27 | 5.2 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 20 | 3.9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 19 | 3.7 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 19 | 3.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.9 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 1.9 |
Kansas Dementia deaths in week ending June 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 62 | 12 |
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