Changes in mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic in Moldova

Abstract

The study aims to highlight changes in mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic in Moldova. Two sources of data were used: the National Bureau of Statistics database for overall mortality and mortality by major and specific causes of death and the Ministry of Health for Covid-19 deaths. The primary analysis methods applied in the research were direct mortality standardization and the decomposition of the difference in life expectancy. The results show that the Covid-19 pandemic caused a substantial increase in the number of deaths, which lead to a significant decrease in life expectancy in both sexes. The results emphasize an increase in mortality due to diseases of the cardiovascular system and diseases of the respiratory system. The more detailed analysis of the major causes of death increased during the pandemic period showed an increase in mortality due to coronary atherosclerosis and acute pneumonia, contrary to the trends existing in the pre-pandemic period. It is important to note that mortality due to Covid-19 was higher than major leading causes of death before the pandemic period. The decomposition of changes in life expectancy between the years 2021 and 2019 by age shows quite similar age profiles between sexes, indicating the pandemic's direct and indirect impact on the dynamic of mortality. The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on mortality, but also on the health of the population, is much more complex, requiring further research to identify prompt and effective responses.