In the week ending May 8, 2021, there were 514 deaths in the state. 21.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.6% were from cancer and 4.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.2% 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.
Kansas top 10 causes of death in week ending May 8, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 112 | 21.8 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 106 | 20.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 34 | 6.6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 22 | 4.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 14 | 2.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 14 | 2.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 14 | 2.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 12 | 2.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 11 | 2.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.9 |
Kansas Dementia deaths in week ending May 8, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 42 | 8.2 |
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