Covid was top killer of people with developmental disabilities during pandemic, SU study shows

Developmentally disabled athletes

A file photo of the annual Annual Dunkin Run Arc Race at Longbranch Park. Developmentally disabled athletes started the half marathon a few minutes before the main group of runners took the course. Arc of Onondaga provides services to people with developmental disabilities in Onondaga County. David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. — Covid-19 was the leading cause of death in 2020 for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to a study by Syracuse researchers.

The study based on U.S. death certificate data found that while Covid was the top killer of people with disabilities in the first year of the pandemic, it was the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer for people without disabilities.

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