scholarly journals Elements of a strategic approach for strengthening national mortality statistics programmes

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. e001810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chalapati Rao
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
System Performance ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
National Mortality ◽  
Incremental Sampling

Information on cause-specific mortality from civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems is essential for health policy and epidemiological research. Currently, there are critical gaps in the international availability of timely and reliable mortality data, which limits planned progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This article describes an evidence-based strategic approach for strengthening mortality data from CRVS systems. National mortality data availability scores from the Global Burden of Disease study were used to group countries into those with adequate, partial or negligible mortality data. These were further categorised by geographical region and population size, which showed that there were shortcomings in availability of mortality data in approximately two-thirds of all countries. Existing frameworks for evaluating design and functional status of mortality components of CRVS systems were reviewed to identify themes and topics for assessment. Detailed national programme assessments can be used to investigate systemic issues that are likely to affect death reporting, cause of death ascertainment and data management. Assessment findings can guide interventions to strengthen system performance. The strategic national approach should be customised according to data availability and population size and supported by human and institutional capacity building. Countries with larger populations should use an incremental sampling approach to strengthen CRVS systems and use interim data for mortality estimation. Periodic data quality evaluation is required to monitor system performance and scale up interventions. A comprehensive implementation and operations research programme should be concurrently launched to evaluate the feasibility, success and sustainability of system strengthening activities.

Legalization of Medical Cannabis and Site of Death: Evidence From National Vital Statistics Mortality Data

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482110587
Author(s):  
Divya Bhagianadh ◽  
Kanika Arora
Keyword(s):  
State Level ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Early Adopters ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Hospital Deaths ◽  
Poor Outcomes

We examined whether Medical Marijuana Legislation (MML) was associated with site of death. Using state-level data (1992–2018) from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), we employed difference-in-differences method to compare changes in death rate among older adults at four sites—nursing home (NH), hospital, home, hospice/other—over time in states with and without MML. Heterogeneity analyses were conducted by timing of MML adoption, and by decedent characteristics. Results show a negative association between MML implementation and NH deaths. Among early adopters (states with weakly regulated programs) and decedents with musculoskeletal disorders, there was a positive association between MML implementation and hospital deaths, whereas among late adopters (states with “medicalized” programs), there was a positive association between MML implementation and hospice deaths. Decline in NH deaths may reflect increased likelihood of transfers due to threat of Federal enforcement, penalties for poor outcomes, and liability concerns. Future studies should examine these associations further.

scholarly journals Estimation of the global burden of mesothelioma deaths from incomplete national mortality data

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 851-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chimed-Ochir Odgerel ◽  
Ken Takahashi ◽  
Tom Sorahan ◽  
Tim Driscoll ◽  
Christina Fitzmaurice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Data ◽  
Global Burden ◽  
National Mortality

scholarly journals Uncertainties in estimating regional methane emissions from rice paddies due to data scarcity in the modeling approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1211-1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Zhang ◽  
Q. Zhang ◽  
Y. Huang ◽  
T. T. Li ◽  
J. Y. Bian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Rice Variety ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Anthropogenic Source ◽  
Rice Paddies ◽  
Data Scarcity

Abstract. Rice paddies are a major anthropogenic source of the atmospheric methane. However, because of the high spatial heterogeneity, making accurate estimations of the methane emission from rice paddies is still a big challenge, even with complicated models. Data scarcity is one of the substantial causes of the uncertainties in estimating the methane emissions on regional scales. In the present study, we discussed how data scarcity affected the uncertainties in model estimations of rice paddy methane emissions, from county/provincial scale up to national scale. The uncertainties in methane emissions from the rice paddies of China was calculated with a local-scale model and the Monte Carlo simulation. The data scarcities in five of the most sensitive model variables, field irrigation, organic matter application, soil properties, rice variety and production were included in the analysis. The result showed that in each individual county, the within-cell standard deviation of methane flux, as calculated via Monte Carlo methods, was 13.5–89.3% of the statistical mean. After spatial aggregation, the national total methane emissions were estimated at 6.44–7.32 Tg, depending on the base scale of the modeling and the reliability of the input data. And with the given data availability, the overall aggregated standard deviation was 16.3% of the total emissions, ranging from 18.3–28.0% for early, late and middle rice ecosystems. The 95% confidence interval of the estimation was 4.5–8.7 Tg by assuming a gamma distribution. Improving the data availability of the model input variables is expected to reduce the uncertainties significantly, especially of those factors with high model sensitivities.

scholarly journals Quality assessment of linked Canadian clinical administrative hospital and vital statistics death data

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Rodrigues ◽  
Maureen Kelly ◽  
Tobi Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Supplementary Information ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Tracking Process ◽  
Data Assessment ◽  
Hospital Deaths ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Discharge From Hospital

IntroductionThree Canadian clinical-administrative hospital databases were linked to the Canadian Vital Statistics Death Database (CVSD) to provide information about patients who died following discharge from hospital as well as supplementary information about patients that died in-hospital. Quality was assessed using a guided approach and through feedback from initial users. Objectives and ApproachThe linked datasets were created to develop and validate health care indicators and performance measures and perform outcome analyses. It is therefore imperative to evaluate the data’s fitness for use. Quality was assessed by calculating coverage of deaths for all linked contributors, creating a profile of the linked dataset and analyzing issues that were identified by users. These analyses were guided by an existing Data Source Assessment Tool, which provides a set of criteria that allow for assessment across five dimensions of quality, thus allowing for appropriate determination of a given set of data’s fitness for use. ResultsDeterministic linkage of the datasets resulted in linkage rates that ranged from 66.9% to 90.9% depending on the dataset or data year. Linkage rates also varied by Canadian jurisdictions and patient cohort. Variables had good data availability with rates of 95% or higher. Initial users identified a significant number of duplicate records that were flagged to and corrected by the data supplier. 1.4\% of acute hospital deaths had discrepancies in the death date captured in the two linked sources; the vast majority had a difference of only one day. A user group and issue tracking process were created to share information about the linked data and guarantee that issues are triaged to the appropriate party and allow for timely follow up with the data supplier. Conclusion/ImplicationsDocumentation provided by the data supplier was vital to understanding the linkage methodology and its impact on linkage rates. A guided data assessment ensured that strengths and limitations were identified and shared to support appropriate use. Feedback to the data supplier is supporting ongoing improvements to the linkage methodology.

Subsequent Mortality in Medically Serious Suicide Attempts: A 5 Year Follow-Up

2003 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 595-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette L. Beautrais
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Term Treatment ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Vehicle Accidents ◽  
National Mortality ◽  
Long Term Treatment

Objective: To document mortality in a consecutive series of 302 individuals who made medically serious suicide attempts and were followed-up for 5 years. Method: All sources of mortality were examined in a 5 year prospective study of 302 individuals who made medically serious suicide attempts. Mortality data were obtained by checks with the national mortality database and, for suicide and accidental deaths, were confirmed by review of coronial records. Results: Within 5 years of making a medically serious suicide attempt, one in 11 (8.9%) participants had died. Most deaths (59.2%) were by suicide. Comparison of mortality in this series with rates expected in a comparable general population sample showed the excess mortality was attributable to death by suicide and by motor vehicle accidents. Conclusion: Mortality among those who make medically serious suicide attempts is high. These findings imply the need for the development of enhanced and long-term treatment, follow-up and surveillance programmes for those who make medically serious suicide attempts.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Active Mortality Surveillance System Data for Monitoring Hurricane-Related Deaths—Texas, 2008

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekta Choudhary ◽  
David F. Zane ◽  
Crystal Beasley ◽  
Russell Jones ◽  
Araceli Rey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surveillance System ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
System Evaluation ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Hurricane Ike ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
System Data ◽  
Mortality Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance System Evaluation

AbstractIntroductionThe Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) implemented an active mortality surveillance system to enumerate and characterize hurricane-related deaths during Hurricane Ike in 2008. This surveillance system used established guidelines and case definitions to categorize deaths as directly, indirectly, and possibly related to Hurricane Ike.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate Texas DSHS' active mortality surveillance system using US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) surveillance system evaluation guidelines.MethodsUsing CDC's Updated Guidelines for Surveillance System Evaluation, the active mortality surveillance system of the Texas DSHS was evaluated. Data from the active mortality surveillance system were compared with Texas vital statistics data for the same time period to estimate the completeness of reported disaster-related deaths.ResultsFrom September 8 through October 13, 2008, medical examiners (MEs) and Justices of the Peace (JPs) in 44 affected counties reported deaths daily by using a one-page, standardized mortality form. The active mortality surveillance system identified 74 hurricane-related deaths, whereas a review of vital statistics data revealed only four deaths that were hurricane-related. The average time of reporting a death by active mortality surveillance and vital statistics was 14 days and 16 days, respectively.ConclusionsTexas's active mortality surveillance system successfully identified hurricane-related deaths. Evaluation of the active mortality surveillance system suggested that it is necessary to collect detailed and representative mortality data during a hurricane because vital statistics do not capture sufficient information to identify whether deaths are hurricane-related. The results from this evaluation will help improve active mortality surveillance during hurricanes which, in turn, will enhance preparedness and response plans and identify public health interventions to reduce future hurricane-related mortality rates.Choudhary E, Zane DF, Beasley C, Jones R, Rey A, Noe RS, Martin C, Wolkin AF, Bayleyegn TM. Evaluation of active mortality surveillance system data for monitoring hurricane-related deaths, Texas, 2008. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(4):1-6.

Analysis and planning systems for multiresource, sustainable forestry: the Heureka research programme at SLU

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 500-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomas Lämås ◽  
Ljusk Ola Eriksson
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Basic Unit ◽  
Ecosystem Models ◽  
Multiple Resources ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Tree Layer ◽  
Common Framework ◽  
Planning Problems

Forest management in Sweden today, as in many other places, involves the management of multiple resources for diverse purposes, such as promoting biodiversity, recreation, hunting, carbon sequestration, and reindeer herding as well as wood production. Sustainability is no longer related only to timber production; it now embraces the composition, processes, and functions of the entire ecosystem. Moreover, pressure from substitute products requires the production of timber, wood fuel, etc., to be economically competitive. The increased complexity of forest management has intensified the need for improved instruments for analysis and decision support. In response to this, a research programme aiming to develop new systems for forest management analysis and planning was recently initiated at the Forest Faculty, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), in which research efforts in different fields are being linked in a common framework to generate models and methods with the following desired attributes. The new systems should be designed with (i) a modular structure to allow the development of different applications, (ii) the landscape as the basic planning unit, (iii) the tree as the basic unit of projection of the tree layer, (iv) models of the interactions between processes and the management of the tree layer, and (v) models for evaluating risks and uncertainties in the data acquired and model projections. We believe that the separation of the system into a decision phase and a projection phase should facilitate the analysis of large and complex multiresource planning problems and suggest in this paper possible avenues for implementing such a feature. Since spatial problems are inherent in many biodiversity-related applications, we propose that appropriate spatially structuring principles should be included in the design of the system. The complex trade-offs involved when selecting ecosystem models in relation to the purpose of the analysis and data availability are highlighted.

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