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National Vital Statistics Reports :... Apr 2021Objectives-This report presents findings on the effects of fully implementing the Office of Management and Budget's 1997 standards for collecting, tabulating, and... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Objectives-This report presents findings on the effects of fully implementing the Office of Management and Budget's 1997 standards for collecting, tabulating, and reporting race and ethnicity in the National Vital Statistics System mortality data across all vital statistics reporting areas. It compares bridgedrace death counts and rates based on the 1977 standards with single-race death counts and rates based on the 1997 standards, overall and by age (categories), sex, and state. Methods-Mortality statistics in this report are based on information from all death certificates filed in the United States and the District of Columbia in 2018. Crude and age-adjusted death rates are calculated with bridged-race and single-race death counts and population estimates then compared using rate ratios. Results-In 2018, single-race death counts were lower than bridged-race counts for all major racial and ethnic groups, overall and by age and sex. This is expected because in bridged-race data, multiple-race decedents are reassigned to single-race categories. The single-race age-adjusted death rate was higher than the bridged-race rate by 0.4% for the non-Hispanic white population (748.7 per 100,000 U.S. standard population versus 745.7) and by 1.5% for the non-Hispanic black population (892.6 versus 879.5). State-specific differences between bridged-race and single-race age-adjusted death rates were significant only for the non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander (API) population in Hawaii, for whom the single-race rate (488.9) was 10.3% lower than the bridged-race rate (545.3). Generally, at the national level, the transition to single-race mortality data seems to have minimal impacts for all major racial and ethnic groups on age-adjusted death rates; however, impacts vary by state.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality; Racial Groups; Research Design; United States; Vital Statistics; Young Adult
PubMed: 34029180
DOI: No ID Found -
BMJ Global Health Dec 2020Full notification of deaths and compilation of good quality cause of death data are core, sequential and essential components of a functional civil registration and... (Review)
Review
Full notification of deaths and compilation of good quality cause of death data are core, sequential and essential components of a functional civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system. In collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG), trial mortality surveillance activities were established at sites in Alotau District in Milne Bay Province, Tambul-Nebilyer District in Western Highlands Province and Talasea District in West New Britain Province.Provincial Health Authorities trialled strategies to improve completeness of death notification and implement an automated verbal autopsy methodology, including use of different notification agents and paper or mobile phone methods. Completeness of death notification improved from virtually 0% to 20% in Talasea, 25% and 75% using mobile phone and paper notification strategies, respectively, in Alotau, and 69% in Tambul-Nebilyer. We discuss the challenges and lessons learnt with implementing these activities in PNG, including logistical considerations and incentives.Our experience indicates that strategies to maximise completeness of notification should be tailored to the local context, which in PNG includes significant geographical, cultural and political diversity. We report that health workers have great potential to improve the CRVS programme in PNG through managing the collection of notification and verbal autopsy data. In light of our findings, and in consultation with the main government CRVS stakeholders and the National CRVS Committee, we make recommendations regarding the requirements at each level of the health system to optimise mortality surveillance in order to generate the essential health intelligence required for policy and planning.
Topics: Autopsy; Government Programs; Health Workforce; Humans; Papua New Guinea; Vital Statistics
PubMed: 33272944
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003747 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Aug 2018Information from vital records is critical to identify and quantify health-related issues and to measure progress toward quality improvement and public health goals. In...
Information from vital records is critical to identify and quantify health-related issues and to measure progress toward quality improvement and public health goals. In particular, maternal and infant mortality serve as important indicators of the nation's health, thereby influencing policy development, funding of programs and research, and measures of health care quality. Accurate and timely documentation of births and deaths is essential to high-quality vital statistics. This Committee Opinion describes the process by which births, maternal deaths, and fetal deaths are registered; the challenges faced with a decentralized reporting system; and the important role for obstetrician-gynecologists in improving the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of vital records.
Topics: Birth Rate; Data Accuracy; Documentation; Female; Fetal Mortality; Gynecology; Humans; Infant; Infant Mortality; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Mortality; Obstetrics; Physician's Role; Pregnancy; Quality of Health Care; United States; Vital Statistics
PubMed: 30045214
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002759 -
National Vital Statistics Reports :... Feb 2016This report presents final 2013 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant mortality, and trends, by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic...
OBJECTIVES
This report presents final 2013 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant mortality, and trends, by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin, race, state of residence, and cause of death.
METHODS
Information reported on death certificates, which are completed by funeral directors, attending physicians, medical examiners, and coroners, is presented in descriptive tabulations. The original records are filed in state registration offices. Statistical information is compiled in a national database through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. Causes of death are processed in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision.
RESULTS
In 2013, a total of 2,596,993 deaths were reported in the United States. The age-adjusted death rate was 731.9 deaths per 100,000 U.S. standard population, a record low figure, but the decrease in 2013 from 2012 was not statistically significant. Life expectancy at birth was 78.8 years, the same as in 2012. Age-specific death rates decreased in 2013 from 2012 for age groups 15–24 and 75–84. Age-specific death rates increased only for age group 55–64. The 15 leading causes of death in 2013 remained the same as in 2012, although Accidents (unintentional injuries), the 5th leading cause of death in 2012, became the 4th leading cause in 2013, while Cerebrovascular diseases (stroke), the 4th leading cause in 2012, became the 5th leading cause of death in 2013. The infant mortality rate of 5.96 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013 was a historically low value, but it was not significantly different from the 2012 rate.
CONCLUSIONS
Although statistically unchanged from 2012, the decline in the age-adjusted death rate is consistent with long-term trends in mortality. Life expectancy in 2013 remained the same as in 2012.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cause of Death; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; International Classification of Diseases; Life Expectancy; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality; United States
PubMed: 26905861
DOI: No ID Found -
Neonatology 2022
Topics: Death Certificates; Humans; Trisomy 18 Syndrome; Vital Statistics
PubMed: 34808633
DOI: 10.1159/000520216 -
The Journals of Gerontology. Series B,... May 2022This study assesses how American life expectancy compares to other high-income countries and identifies key age groups and causes of death responsible for the U.S. life...
OBJECTIVES
This study assesses how American life expectancy compares to other high-income countries and identifies key age groups and causes of death responsible for the U.S. life expectancy shortfall.
METHODS
Data from the Human Mortality Database, World Health Organization Mortality Database, and vital statistics agencies for 18 high-income countries are used to examine trends in U.S. life expectancy gaps and how American age-specific death rates compare to other countries. Decomposition is used to estimate the contribution of 19 age groups and 16 causes to the U.S. life expectancy shortfall.
RESULTS
In 2018, life expectancy for American men and women was 5.18 and 5.82 years lower than the world leaders and 3.60 and 3.48 years lower than the average of the comparison countries. Americans aged 25-29 experience death rates nearly 3 times higher than their counterparts. Together, injuries (drug overdose, firearm-related deaths, motor vehicle accidents, homicide), circulatory diseases, and mental disorders/nervous system diseases (including Alzheimer's disease) account for 86% and 67% of American men's and women's life expectancy shortfall, respectively.
DISCUSSION
American life expectancy has fallen far behind its peer countries. The U.S.'s worsening mortality at the prime adult ages and eroding old-age mortality advantage drive its deteriorating performance in international comparisons.
Topics: Accidents, Traffic; Causality; Cause of Death; Female; Humans; Internationality; Life Expectancy; Male; Mortality; United States
PubMed: 35188201
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbab129 -
Journal of Applied Gerontology : the... Mar 2022We examined whether Medical Marijuana Legislation (MML) was associated with site of death. Using state-level data (1992-2018) from the National Vital Statistics System...
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.
Topics: Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hospice Care; Humans; Medical Marijuana; Nursing Homes; United States; Vital Statistics
PubMed: 34930063
DOI: 10.1177/07334648211058720 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Sep 2015Information from vital records is critical to identify and quantify health-related issues and to measure progress toward quality improvement and public health goals. In... (Review)
Review
Information from vital records is critical to identify and quantify health-related issues and to measure progress toward quality improvement and public health goals. In particular, maternal and infant mortality serve as important indicators of the nation's health, thereby influencing policy development, funding of programs and research, and measures of health care quality. Accurate and timely documentation of births and deaths is essential to high-quality vital statistics. This Committee Opinion describes the process by which births, maternal deaths, and fetal deaths are registered; the challenges faced with a decentralized reporting system; and the important role for obstetrician-gynecologists in improving the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of vital records.
Topics: Advisory Committees; Birth Certificates; Death Certificates; Documentation; Female; Gynecology; Humans; Infant; Infant Mortality; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Mortality; Obstetrics; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Pregnancy; Public Health; Quality of Health Care; United States; Vital Statistics
PubMed: 26287783
DOI: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000471173.49573.06 -
American Journal of Public Health Jul 2021To assess the quality of population-level US mortality data in the US Census Bureau Numerical Identification file (Numident) and describe the details of the mortality... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVES
To assess the quality of population-level US mortality data in the US Census Bureau Numerical Identification file (Numident) and describe the details of the mortality information as well as the novel person-level linkages available when using the Census Numident.
METHODS
We compared all-cause mortality in the Census Numident to published vital statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We provide detailed information on the linkage of the Census Numident to other Census Bureau survey, administrative, and economic data.
RESULTS
Death counts in the Census Numident are similar to those from published mortality vital statistics. Yearly comparisons show that the Census Numident captures more deaths since 1997, and coverage is slightly lower going back in time. Weekly estimates show similar trends from both data sets.
CONCLUSIONS
The Census Numident is a high-quality and timely source of data to study all-cause mortality. The Census Bureau makes available a vast and rich set of restricted-use, individual-level data linked to the Census Numident for researchers to use.
PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS
The Census Numident linked to data available from the Census Bureau provides infrastructure for doing evidence-based public health policy research on mortality.
Topics: Cause of Death; Censuses; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; Data Collection; Forecasting; Humans; Mortality; United States; Vital Statistics
PubMed: 34314212
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2021.306217 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Nov 2023To quantify the extent of incompleteness and misclassification of maternal and pregnancy related deaths, and to identify general and context-specific factors associated... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the extent of incompleteness and misclassification of maternal and pregnancy related deaths, and to identify general and context-specific factors associated with incompleteness and/or misclassification of maternal death data.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of incompleteness and/or misclassification of maternal and pregnancy-related deaths. We conducted a narrative synthesis to identify methods used to capture and classify maternal deaths, as well as general and context specific factors affecting the completeness and misclassification of maternal death recording. We conducted a meta-analysis of proportions to obtain estimates of incompleteness and misclassification of maternal death recording, overall and disaggregated by income and surveillance system types.
FINDINGS
Of 2872 title-abstracts identified, 29 were eligible for inclusions in the qualitative synthesis, and 20 in the meta-analysis. Included studies relied principally on record linkage and review for identifying deaths, and on review of medical records and verbal autopsies to correctly classify cause of death. Deaths to women towards the extremes of the reproductive age range, those not classified by a medical examiner or a coroner, and those from minority ethnic groups in their setting were more likely misclassified or unrecorded. In the meta-analysis, we found maternal death recording to be incomplete by 34% (95% CI: 28-48), with 60% sensitivity (95% CI: 31-81.). Overall, we found maternal mortality was under-estimated by 39% (95% CI: 30-48) due to incompleteness and/or misclassification. Reporting of deaths away from the intrapartum, due to indirect causes or occurring at home were less complete than their counterparts. There was substantial between and within group variability across most results.
CONCLUSION
Maternal deaths were under-estimated in almost all contexts, but the extent varied across settings. Countries should aim towards establishing Civil Registration and Vital Statistics systems where they are not instituted. Efforts to improve the completeness and accuracy of maternal cause of death recording, such as Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths, are needed even where CRVS is considered to be well-functioning.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Maternal Death; Maternal Mortality; Reproduction; Family; Ethnicity; Cause of Death
PubMed: 37968585
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06077-4