Comparative Methodologic and Practical Considerations for Life Expectancy as a Public Health Mortality Measure

2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492199940
Author(s):  
Anne M. Roubal ◽  
Elizabeth A. Pollock ◽  
Keith P. Gennuso ◽  
Courtney K. Blomme ◽  
Marjory L. Givens
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Child Poverty ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
County Level ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Us Counties ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Length Of Life

Introduction Life expectancy is a public health metric used to assess mortality. We describe life expectancy calculations for US counties and present methodologic considerations compared with years of potential life lost before age 75 (YPLL-75) and premature age-adjusted mortality (PAAM), 2 commonly used length-of-life metrics. Methods We used death data from the National Center for Health Statistics for 2015-2017 and other health measures from the 2019 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. We calculated life expectancy from birth at the county level using an abridged life table and the Chiang method of variance. Studentized residuals identified counties with discordant life expectancy and YPLL-75 or PAAM values. Correlations tested associations of life expectancy with key health measures (eg, smoking, child poverty, uninsured). Results Among 3073 US counties, life expectancy ranged from 62.4 to 98.0 years, with a mean of 77.4 years. Life expectancy was strongly and negatively correlated with YPLL-75 ( r = −0.91) and PAAM ( r = −0.95) at the county level. Life expectancy was also associated with other key health metrics, such as smoking, employment, and education rates, where an improvement in the health factor indicated improvement in the respective length-of-life measure. Counties with discordant life expectancy and YPLL-75 or PAAM values had differing age structures. Practice Implications Commonly used length-of-life metrics in population health settings are differentiated by methodological matters, such as computation complexity, data availability, and differential risk among age groups, especially among the very old or very young. The choice of metric should consider these factors, in addition to practical concerns, such as the communication needs of the audience.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among the Personnel and Students of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece: A Preliminary Report

Life ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ourania E. Tsitsilonis ◽  
Dimitrios Paraskevis ◽  
Evi Lianidou ◽  
Vassilios Pierros ◽  
Athanasios Akalestos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Early Implementation ◽  
June July ◽  
State Responses

Due to early implementation of public health measures, Greece had low number of SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 severe incidents in hospitalized patients. The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (ΝΚUA), especially its health-care/medical personnel, has been actively involved in the first line of state responses to COVID-19. To estimate the prevalence of antibodies (Igs) against SARS-CoV-2 among NKUA members, we designed a five consecutive monthly serosurvey among randomly selected NKUA consenting volunteers. Here, we present the results from the first 2500 plasma samples collected during June–July 2020. Twenty-five donors were tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 Igs; thus, the overall seroprevalence was 1.00%. The weighted overall seroprevalence was 0.93% (95% CI: 0.27, 2.09) and varied between males [1.05% (95% CI: 0.18, 2.92)] and females [0.84% (95% CI: 0.13, 2.49)], age-groups and different categories (higher in participants from the School of Health Sciences and in scientific affiliates/faculty members/laboratory assistants), but no statistical differences were detected. Although focused on the specific population of NKUA members, our study shows that the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Igs for the period June–July 2020 remained low and provides knowledge of public health importance for the NKUA members. Given that approximately one in three infections was asymptomatic, continuous monitoring of the progression of the pandemic by assessing Ig seroprevalence is needed.

scholarly journals Do men need special services?

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Special Needs ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Special Services

The targeting of services to groups with special needs is today commonplace in enlightened public health policies. To list men among the ‘minorities’ in need of such special help might have the semblance of satire. This air of levity is not really reduced by listing male's shorter life expectancy, higher infant mortality and higher rates of natural and unnatural deaths in all age groups (Drever & Bunting, 1997; Kelly & Bunting, 1998).

scholarly journals Differential Privacy and the Accuracy of County-Level Net Migration Estimates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richelle L. Winkler ◽  
Jaclyn L. Butler ◽  
Katherine J. Curtis ◽  
David Egan-Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Census Data ◽  
Differential Privacy ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Level Of Detail ◽  
County Level ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Net Migration ◽  
The Past ◽  
Us Counties ◽  
The Impact

AbstractEach decade since the 1950s, demographers have generated high-quality net migration estimates by age, sex, and race for US counties using decennial census data as starting and ending populations. The estimates have been downloaded tens of thousands of times and widely used for planning, diverse applications, and research. Census 2020 should allow the series to extend through the 2010–2020 decade. The accuracy of new estimates, however, could be challenged by differentially private (DP) disclosure avoidance techniques in Census 2020 data products. This research brief estimates the impact of DP implementation on the accuracy of county-level net migration estimates. Using differentially private Census 2010 demonstration data, we construct a hypothetical set of DP migration estimates for 2000–2010 and compare them to published estimates, using common accuracy metrics and spatial analysis. Findings show that based on demonstration data released in 2020, net migration estimates by five-year age groups would only be accurate enough for use in about half of counties. Inaccuracies are larger in counties with populations less than 50,000, among age groups 65 and over, and among Hispanics. These problems are not fully resolved by grouping into broader age groups. Moreover, errors tend to cluster spatially in some regions of the country. Ultimately, the ability to generate accurate net migration estimates at the same level of detail as in the past will depend on the Census Bureau’s allocation of the privacy loss budget.

scholarly journals The Association of Country-Level Factors with Outcomes of COVID-19: Analysis of the pandemic after one million cases

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar S. Aldibasi ◽  
Naif K. Alharbi ◽  
Mohamed Alkelya ◽  
Hosam Zowawi ◽  
Suliman Alghnam
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Recovery Rate ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Current Response ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Per Capita

Abstract Background: Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing global pandemic. Without a vaccine or an effective treatment in the near horizon, only public health measures have been effective in potentially reducing its impact. Due to the wide disparity in current response from individual countries, studying factors associated with public health measures may inform ongoing efforts. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the contributing factors across the globe with specific measures of the disease. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that used publicly available data of COVID-19 cases as of April 6, 2020. We analyzed country public information on demographic and socioeconomic indicators published in different sources. The association between country-level variables and the incidence rate, the recovery rate, severity of the cases, and mortality rate were evaluated using regression techniques. Results: Multiple factors were found to be significantly associated with COVID-19 outcomes. The number of tests per million, GDP per capita, a country population size of 2020, country median age, and life expectancy are associated with the incidence rate of COVID19. The yearly net change population, migrants, and tourism are associated with the recovery rate of COVID-19. The number of tests per million and male life expectancy are associated with the critical cases rate of COVID-19. Finally, the GDP per capita, land area (Km2), life expectancy, and tourism are associated with the mortality rate of COVID-19. Conclusion: Overall, higher GDP per capita, median age, and a higher number of lab tests were found to be associated with more incidents of COVID-19 cases, which indicates a better and maintained system for detection, reporting, and management of the pandemic. This study suggests that investing in better screening and testing may reveal more cases that can be managed and controlled; while limiting travelers would further support the pandemic control.

Silver Diamine Fluoride – A “Silver-fluoride Bullet” for Dental Caries

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-282
Author(s):  
Pallavi Goel ◽  
Vikram R ◽  
Adarsha M S ◽  
Sudhanva M E
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Dental Caries ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Permanent Teeth ◽  
Silver Diamine Fluoride ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Carious Lesions ◽  
Silver Fluoride

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent diseases across the globe, affecting all age groups. Various public health measures like water fluoridation have been started to control the spread of caries, especially among children. But these intervention methods are inaccessible to people in some parts of the world. Thus, a product called Silver Diamine Fluoride was introduced, which can help arrest carious lesions at an early stage. It is a beneficial aid for caries arrest in both primary and permanent teeth. Also, can be used for arresting root caries. Thus, the objective of this review article is to discuss about silver diamine fluoride and its diverse uses from both clinician and public health point of view.

scholarly journals The first 8 weeks of the Austrian SARS-CoV-2 epidemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Nagel ◽  
Agata Łaszewska ◽  
Gerald Haidinger ◽  
Judit Simon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Testing Case

Summary Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV‑2) reached Austria in February 2020. This study aims to describe the first 8 weeks of the Austrian epidemic and reflect on the potential mental health consequences as known at that time. Methods Data on Austrian Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) epidemiological indicators and number of tests were obtained from official registers. Relative risks (RRs) of infection and death from COVID-19 were calculated for sex and age groups (< 65 years and ≥ 65 years). Public health measures introduced to reduce the spread of COVID-19 were identified via online media research. A rapid review of initial evidence on mental health consequences of the pandemic was performed in PubMed and medRxiv. Results By 21 April 2020 the case count in Austria was 14,810 after a peak of new daily infections mid-March. The RR of death for age ≥ 65 years was 80.07 (95% confidence interval, CI 52.64–121.80; p < 0.0001) compared to those aged < 65 years. In men the RR of death was 1.44 (95% CI 1.20–1.73; p < 0.0001) compared to women. Wide-ranging public health measures included avoidance of case importation, limitation of social contacts, hygiene measures, testing, case tracking, and the call for COVID-19-related research. International rates of psychiatric symptoms during the initial lockdowns exceeded typical levels: anxiety (6%–51%), depression (17%–48%) and posttraumatic stress (5%–54%). Conclusion Data show great vulnerability of older people also in Austria. Severe mental health impacts can be expected with need for proper assessment of the long-term consequences of this pandemic.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Diagnoses in General and Specialized Practices in Germany

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 408
Author(s):  
Louis Jacob ◽  
Sven H. Loosen ◽  
Matthias Kalder ◽  
Tom Luedde ◽  
Christoph Roderburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Significant Negative Impact ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Nose And Throat

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cancer diagnosis in general and specialized practices in Germany. This study included a total of 102,009 patients aged ≥18 years newly diagnosed with cancer in 1660 practices in Germany from January to May 2019 and from January to May 2020. Practices included general, gynecology, ear, nose, and throat (ENT), dermatology, and urology practices. New cancer diagnoses included all types of cancer and corresponded to cancers not previously documented in the database for a given patient. The number of new cancer diagnoses per general practice decreased significantly between March and May 2020 compared with the same period in 2019 (March: −12.0%, April: −27.6%, and May: −23.4%). A similar trend was observed in specialized practices, and this trend was more pronounced in April 2020 (dermatology: −44.4%, gynecology: −32.0%, and ENT: −28.2%). In addition, there was a significant decrease in almost all sex and age groups in April and May 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. Finally, the decrease in the number of new cancer diagnoses was particularly pronounced among cancers of the skin and the respiratory and intrathoracic organs. Together, these data show that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on cancer diagnosis in Germany, highlighting the need for public health measures improving the management of cancer in this country during this ongoing pandemic.

Life expectancy in less developed countries: socioeconomic development or public health?

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard G. Rogers ◽  
Sharon Wofford
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Less Developed Countries ◽  
Adequate Nutrition ◽  
Safe Water ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Using Data

SummaryVarious studies have enquired into the influence of socioeconomic development or public health measures on life expectancies in less developed countries. Analysis of the effect of these two groups of factors upon life expectancy, using data for 95 less developed countries, indicates that mortality is primarily influenced by such socioeconomic development measures as urbanization, industrialization, and education, and secondarily by such public health measures as access to safe water, physicians, and adequate nutrition.

A Spatiotemporal Tool to Project Hospital Critical Care Capacity and Mortality From COVID-19 in US Counties

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e10
Author(s):  
Alexis Zebrowski ◽  
Andrew Rundle ◽  
Sen Pei ◽  
Tonguc Yaman ◽  
Wan Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
County Level ◽  
Surge Capacity ◽  
Response Measures ◽  
Us Counties ◽  
Care Capacity

Objectives. To create a tool to rapidly determine where pandemic demand for critical care overwhelms county-level surge capacity and to compare public health and medical responses. Methods. In March 2020, COVID-19 cases requiring critical care were estimated using an adaptive metapopulation SEIR (susceptible‒exposed‒infectious‒recovered) model for all 3142 US counties for future 21-day and 42-day periods from April 2, 2020, to May 13, 2020, in 4 reactive patterns of contact reduction—0%, 20%, 30%, and 40%—and 4 surge response scenarios—very low, low, medium, and high. Results. In areas with increased demand, surge response measures could avert 104 120 additional deaths—55% through high clearance of critical care beds and 45% through measures such as greater ventilator access. The percentages of lives saved from high levels of contact reduction were 1.9 to 4.2 times greater than high levels of hospital surge response. Differences in projected versus actual COVID-19 demands were reasonably small over time. Conclusions. Nonpharmaceutical public health interventions had greater impact in minimizing preventable deaths during the pandemic than did hospital critical care surge response. Ready-to-go spatiotemporal supply and demand data visualization and analytics tools should be advanced for future preparedness and all-hazards disaster response. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print April 15, 2021: e1–e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306220 )

scholarly journals Social distancing and preventive practices of government employees in response to COVID-19 in Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wakgari Deressa ◽  
Alemayehu Worku ◽  
Workeabeba Abebe ◽  
Sefonias Getachew ◽  
Wondwosson Amogne
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
National Level ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Government Employees ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Policy Responses ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
The Government

Background: Public health measures are critical to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Ethiopia has implemented a variety of essential public health measures in response to the spread of the virus. This study aimed to assess social distancing and preventive practices of government employees in response to COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1573 government employees selected from 46 public institutions (16 National, 18 from Addis Ababa City Administration, and 12 from Oromia Regional State) located in Addis Ababa. Data were collected from 8th to 19th June 2020 using a paper-based self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. ANOVA and t-tests were applied to assess the difference between groups. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with outcome variables. Results: The majority of the participants reported wearing of facemask (96%), avoiding close contact with people including handshaking (94.5%), frequent had washing (94.1%), maintaining physical distancing (89.5%), avoiding mass gatherings (88.1%), and restricting movement and travelling (84.1%). More than 80% of the participants perceived that consistently wearing a facemask is highly effective in preventing the transmission of coronavirus. Participants from Oromia reported statistically significantly lower odds of perceived effectiveness of facemask in preventing coronavirus infection (adjusted OR=0.27, 95% CI:0.17-0.45). About 19% of the respondents reported that they had ever tested for COVID-19. Participants within the age groups of 18-29 were more likely to test for coronavirus than the older age groups. Whilst, respondents from Oromia were less likely to test for coronavirus than those from national level (adjusted OR=0.31, 95% CI:0.16-0.60). About one-third (31.3%) of the respondents strongly agreed that the policy responses that the Government had taken to contain the spread of coronavirus were reasonable, and 38.5% agreed with the policy responses. Conclusions: The findings showed higher social distancing and preventive practices among the government employees in response to COVID-19. People should properly apply social distancing measures, wearing facemasks, and washing hands frequently with water and soap as a comprehensive package of SARS-CoV-2 prevention and control strategies. Rules and regulations imposed by the Government should be properly enforced in order to control the pandemic.

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