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Death Statistics (death + statistics)
Selected AbstractsNationwide hospitalization costs of skin melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer in GermanyJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 1 2008A Stang Abstract Introduction, Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), in contrast to skin melanoma (MEL), is considered a negligible health problem because mortality of NMSC is low. The aim of this study was to provide insights into the burden of NMSC and MEL by analysing nationwide skin cancer hospitalization data and data from a dermatologist panel of Germany. We wanted to estimate hospitalization costs due to skin cancer in Germany. Material and methods, We analysed the most recent nationwide hospitalization data from 2003 and estimated hospitalization costs due to MEL and NMSC. We estimated the annual number of private dermatologist practice visits in Germany due to skin cancer. Results, In 2003, 20 455 melanoma-related and 41 929 NMSC-related hospitalizations occurred in Germany. Age-standardized hospitalization rates for NMSC were 2.5-fold and 1.8-fold higher among men and women than the rates for MEL, respectively. The age-specific proportions of hospitalizations for NMSC in relation to all cancer-related hospitalizations increased within the age range of 65 years and more. Among people aged 90 years and more, 14% of all cancer-related hospitalizations were due to NMSC. Estimated annual hospitalization costs for MEL were ,50 to 60 million, and those for NMSC were ,105 to 130 million. The estimated number of private dermatologist practice visits in Germany 2003 is considerably higher for NMSC than MEL Conclusions, Analyses of hospitalizations data and data from private dermatologists give NMSC higher public health relevance than can be obtained from consideration of death statistics. [source] Is there a need for autopsies in the management of fungal disease?MYCOSES, Issue 4 2008Manfred Knoke Summary The autopsy rates in Germany became low like in other European, American and Asian countries. Main reasons for this development are the lack of acceptance of autopsy in the society as well as in the medical profession, the introduction of a requirement for consent, unclear legal position, the public health system, pressure of costs and a change in the field of activity in pathology with much more diagnostics of surgical and biopsy material. The autopsy is missing with respect to the reliability of causes of death and morbidity statistics and other epidemiological studies. Published data indicate that up to 20,30% of patients who die in hospitals have important diseases/lesions that remain undetected before death but that are found at autopsy. For infectious diseases, the data are similar. Therefore, a higher incidence of invasive fungal infections was found. Some rare fungal disorders are diagnosed by autopsy. Only exact death statistics makes specific health care possible and is cost saving in a public health system in the long term. Autopsy remains an important tool for quality control in medical diagnostic and therapeutic activity. It is also essential for fundamental medical education and further training. [source] Contribution of birth defects to infant mortality in the United StatesBIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue S1 2002Joann Petrini Background While overall infant mortality rates (IMR) have declined over the past several decades, birth defects have remained the leading cause of infant death in the United States. To illustrate how this leading cause of infant mortality impacts subgroups within the US population a descriptive analysis of the contribution of birth defects to infant mortality at the national and state level was conducted. Methods Descriptive analyses of birth defects-specific IMRs and proportionate infant mortality due to birth defects were conducted for the US using 1999 mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics. In 1999, the change to ICD-10 impacted how cause-specific mortality rates were coded. Aggregated 1995-1998 state- birth defects infant death statistics were used for state comparisons. Results In 1999, birth defects accounted for nearly 1 in 5 infant deaths in the US. Variation in birth defects-specific IMRs were observed by maternal race with black infants having the highest rates when compared with other race groups. However, among black infants prematurity/low birthweight was the leading cause of death, followed by birth defects. There is substantial variation in state-specific birth defects IMRs and the state-specific proportion of infant deaths due to birth defects. Conclusions Birth defects remain the leading cause of infant death in the United States, despite the changes that resulted in 1999 from an update in the coding of cause of death from ICD-9 to ICD-10. While birth defects-specific IMRs provide an overall picture of fatal birth defects and a gauge of the impact of life-threatening anomalies, they represent only a fraction of the impact of birth defects, missing those who survive past infancy and those birth defects related losses in the antepartum period. Expansion and support of effective birth defects monitoring systems in each state that include the full spectrum of perinatal outcomes must be a priority. However, paralleling these efforts, analyses of this leading cause of infant mortality provide critical insight into perinatal health and should continue, with appropriate adjustments for the 1999 classification changes. Teratology 66:S3,S6, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Trends in childhood mortality from 1969 to 2004 in FinlandACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 8 2008Marjo Lantto Abstract Aim: The aim was to evaluate the trends in childhood mortality in Finland from 1969 to 2004. We especially wanted to find out whether the decline in mortality is continuous and whether there are still deaths that could be prevented. Methods: We analyzed mortality data obtained from the official cause of death statistics in Finland from 1969 to 2004. Annual mortality rates were calculated in proportion to those at risk of dying. Comparison of cause specific mortality rates was conducted for neonatal group and children aged 1 month to 15 years. Results: Annual neonatal mortality declined from 11.13, in 1969 to 2.46, in 2004. The leading causes of death were perinatal disorders and congenital malformations. Mortality among children aged 1 month to 15 years declined from 0.67, in 1969 to 0.23, in 2004, with accidents the leading cause of death, although congenital malformations, tumours and haematological diseases, and infectious diseases were significant causes as well. There was a notable peak in total mortality in 2004, as 44 Finnish children died in the Asian tsunami in December of that year. Conclusion: Childhood mortality in Finland has decreased significantly during recent decades. Prevention programmes should be directed towards reducing mortality from accidents by promoting traffic safety and ensuring a safer environment. Even though child mortality is very low in Finland at present, continued reductions can still be achieved. [source] | ||||||||||