Health Data Disparities in Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths From 1999 to 2018 in the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e9
Author(s):  
Adam J. Milam ◽  
Debra Furr-Holden ◽  
Ling Wang ◽  
Kevin M. Simon
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
African American ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Death Investigation ◽  
Overdose Deaths

Objectives. To examine temporal trends in the classification of opioid-involved overdose deaths (OODs) and racial variation in the classification of specific types of opioids used. Methods. We analyzed OODs coded as other or unspecified narcotics from 1999 to 2018 in the United States using data from the National Vital Statistics System and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results. The total proportion ofOODs fromunspecified narcotics decreased from 32.4% in 1999 to 1.9% in 2018. The proportion of OODs from unspecified narcotics among African American persons was approximately 2-fold greater than that of non-Hispanic White persons until 2012. Similarly, the proportion of OODs from unspecified narcotics among Hispanic persons was greater than that of White persons until 2015. After we controlled for death investigation system, African American persons had a higher incidence rate of OODs from unspecified narcotics compared with White persons. Conclusions. There have been significant improvements in the specification OODs over the past 20 years,and there has been significant racial disparity in the classification of OODs until about 2015. The findings suggest a health data disparity; the excessive misclassification of OODs is likely attributable to the race/ethnicity of the decedent. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 29, 2021: e1–e8. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306322 )

scholarly journals Multinational Population-Based Health Surveys Linked to Outcome Data: An Untapped Resource

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey Fisher ◽  
Carol Bennett ◽  
Claudia Sanmartin ◽  
Doug Manuel
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Population Health ◽  
National Health ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
National Health Surveys

ABSTRACTObjectivesIncreasingly, national health surveys are being linked to vital statistics and health care information, providing a new and unique source of individual population health data. Given that nationally-representative health surveys are performed in over a hundred countries, these linkages create comprehensive data sets that are potentially larger than most existing cohort studies. To date, this resource has not been utilized. ApproachThe purpose, study base, content and methods of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) cycles 2.1 (2003-04) and 3.1 (2005-06) and the United States 2000 and 2005 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were examined for comparability and consistency. Smoking, alcohol, physical activity and diet questions were identified, question construct and response categorization were compared, and variable constructions possible for both national health surveys were created. All respondents 20+ years of age were identified and stratified by country and sex. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate 5-year hazards of mortality associated with the common smoking, alcohol, physical activity and diet variables. ResultsThe CCHS and NHIS are highly consistent and comparable. Health behaviour questions are similar and permit the creation of smoking, alcohol, physical activity and diet variables that are comparable across surveys. A total of 284 475 survey respondents from Canada and the United States (CCHS, N= 226 731; NHIS, N= 57 744) were included. The largest mortality hazards were associated with female heavy smokers in both Canada (HR: 2.91; 95% CI: 2.52, 3.37) and the United States (Female HR: 2.96; 95% CI: 2.59, 3.38), compared to non-smokers. Moderate variation in the age adjusted all-cause mortality hazard ratios was observed; both smoking and physical activity hazard ratios were consistently higher in the United States than in Canada. ConclusionThis study provides initial support for the methodological feasibility of pooling linked population health surveys however, challenges introduced by dissimilarities will require the use of innovative methodologies, and discussions regarding how to manage jurisdictional data restrictions and privacy issues are needed. Pooled population health data has the potential to improve national and international health surveillance and public health.

scholarly journals Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999–2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Hedegaard ◽  
Arialdi M. Miniño ◽  
Merianne Rose Spencer ◽  
Margaret Warner
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Drug Overdose ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Demographic Group ◽  
Overdose Deaths

This report uses the most recent data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) to update statistics on deaths from drug overdose in the United States, showing rates by demographic group and by specific types of drugs involved (such as opioids or stimulants), with a focus on changes from 2019 to 2020.

scholarly journals Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999–2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Hedegaard ◽  
Arialdi Miniño ◽  
Merianne Rose Spencer ◽  
Margaret Warner
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Drug Overdose ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Demographic Group ◽  
Overdose Deaths

This report uses the most recent data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) to update statistics on deaths from drug overdose in the United States, showing rates by demographic group and by specific types of drugs involved (such as opioids or stimulants), with a focus on changes from 2019 to 2020.

Ancestry Estimation in Practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hillary Parsons
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Missing Persons ◽  
Ancestry Estimation ◽  
Physical Features ◽  
Discrete Traits ◽  
Medical Examiners

The medicolegal system relies on forensic anthropologists to construct accurate biological profiles from skeletal remainsto narrow the pool of potential missing persons and provide support for positive identifications. The ancestry estimation component of theprofile offers physical descriptions of decedents through a combination of metric analysis and the interpretation of discrete traits believedto correlate with visible physical features. Forensic anthropologists employed in medical examiners’ offices in the United States regularlyconstruct these profiles in casework. However, ancestry estimation methods have been questioned in their ability to accurately describe theracial classification of the deceased. Although validation studies have documented the accuracy of ancestry estimation methods on skeletalcollections, it is unknown how well they operate in forensic casework and the assumption that methods mirror the results observed inacademic research studies remains unproven. In an effort to understand how well methods preform, this research was designed to evaluatethe accuracy ancestry estimation practices within three medical examiners’ offices in the United States. The results show an accuracy rateof 99% among 177 cases when both definitive and ambiguous ancestral and racial terminology was used to describe remains. Becauseunidentified cases lack antemortem information, it remains unknown if the ancestral assessments of the 280 unidentified individualsincluded in this study confer the same level of accuracy shown in resolved cases. The results presented here are informative not only forthe vital statistics obtained, but also for what this data reveals about the factors influencing ancestry estimation in practice.

Deaths Attributed to Psychiatric Disorders in the United States, 2010–2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (12) ◽  
pp. 1825-1827
Author(s):  
Amy S. B. Bohnert ◽  
Srijan Sen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
The Us ◽  
Underlying Cause Of Death ◽  
Overdose Deaths ◽  
Mortality Surveillance ◽  
Population Rate

Objectives. To quantify deaths in the United States from 2010 through 2018 that were reported with an underlying cause of death as a psychiatric diagnosis, which do not indicate a clear mechanism of death, and that may be misclassified suicide and overdose deaths. Methods. We used national vital statistics data to identify rates and circumstances of deaths by specific underlying cause of death categories in the US population. Results. There were 115 442 deaths attributed to psychiatric diagnoses and 834 763 deaths attributed to suicide or overdose. The population rate of deaths attributed to psychiatric diagnoses increased from 3.26 to 4.96 per 100 000 US persons between 2010 and 2018. Conclusions. Psychiatric diagnoses may represent a fairly substantial number of misclassified overdose and suicide deaths. Improving mortality surveillance requires improving the accuracy of diagnoses reported on death certificates.

Childhood Firearm Injuries in the United States

2017 ◽  
pp. 64-79
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Fowler ◽  
Linda L. Dahlberg ◽  
Tadesse Haileyesus ◽  
Carmen Gutierrez ◽  
Sarah Bacon
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Gunshot Wounds ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Injury Surveillance System ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Firearm Injuries ◽  
Using Data

OBJECTIVES Examine fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries among children aged 0 to 17 in the United States, including intent, demographic characteristics, trends, state-level patterns, and circumstances. METHODS Fatal injuries were examined by using data from the National Vital Statistics System and nonfatal injuries by using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Trends from 2002 to 2014 were tested using joinpoint regression analyses. Incident characteristics and circumstances were examined by using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System. RESULTS Nearly 1300 children die and 5790 are treated for gunshot wounds each year. Boys, older children, and minorities are disproportionately affected. Although unintentional firearm deaths among children declined from 2002 to 2014 and firearm homicides declined from 2007 to 2014, firearm suicides decreased between 2002 and 2007 and then showed a significant upward trend from 2007 to 2014. Rates of firearm homicide among children are higher in many Southern states and parts of the Midwest relative to other parts of the country. Firearm suicides are more dispersed across the United States with some of the highest rates occurring in Western states. Firearm homicides of younger children often occurred in multivictim events and involved intimate partner or family conflict; older children more often died in the context of crime and violence. Firearm suicides were often precipitated by situational and relationship problems. The shooter playing with a gun was the most common circumstance surrounding unintentional firearm deaths of both younger and older children. CONCLUSIONS Firearm injuries are an important public health problem, contributing substantially to premature death and disability of children. Understanding their nature and impact is a first step toward prevention.

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