In the week ending May 22, 2021, there were 553 deaths in the state. 20.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.8% were from cancer and 8.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.1% 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 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 111 | 20.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 104 | 18.8 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 34 | 6.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 25 | 4.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 22 | 4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 21 | 3.8 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 19 | 3.4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 19 | 3.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 15 | 2.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 11 | 2 |
Kansas Dementia deaths in week ending May 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 56 | 10.1 |
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