In the week ending May 1, 2021, there were 506 deaths in the state. 18.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.8% were from cancer and 8.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.6% 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.
Kansas top 10 causes of death in week ending May 1, 2021
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 1, 2021 | Deaths in Week Ending April 24, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 100 | 115 |
| Heart disease | 92 | 117 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 22 | 18 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 21 | 19 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 20 | 16 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 19 | 25 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 18 | 15 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 17 | < 10 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 14 | 19 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 11 |
Kansas Dementia deaths in week ending May 1, 2021
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 1, 2021 | Deaths in Week Ending April 24, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 64 | 55 |
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