In the week ending Aug. 20, 2022, there were 551 deaths in the state. 19.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.3% were from cancer and 5.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.7% 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 Aug. 20, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 108 | 97 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 101 | 94 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 30 | 16 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 25 | 20 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 22 | 16 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 19 | 20 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 19 | 23 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 14 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 12 | 18 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 11 | < 10 |
Kansas Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 20, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 70 | 67 |
Alerts Sign-up