Comprehensive Analysis of Disease Incidence and Children’s Health Risk Assessment at the Regional Level

Abstract

Introduction: The key to sustainable development and well-being of a state is the health of children, which is a social and individual value. In the context of negative demographic trends observed in our country, health maintenance in the child population is becoming the most urgent task of healthcare at both the regional and federal levels. Disease incidence in children is one of the main indicators of public health, most objectively characterizing both its general condition and the degree of effects of various environmental factors. Objective: A comprehensive analysis of disease incidence in the child population and health risk assessment within the region. Materials and methods: Official statistical collections “Health of the Population of the Vladimir Region” by the Medical Information and Analytical Center for the pre-pandemic period of 2001–2019 were used to analyze incidence rates in the child population (aged 0–14 years) of the Vladimir Region by 16 ICD-10 disease categories, both for the region as a whole and each of its districts taken separately. The assessment of the probable disease risk was based on determination of epidemiological risk indicators. Data analysis was performed using StatSoft Statistica 12. Results: The results demonstrated a rising trend in the child disease incidence in the Vladimir Region with the rate exceeding the national average and diseases of the respiratory system prevailing. A significant 2.5-fold increase in the number of neoplasms gives rise to concern. Long-term incidence rates varied significantly between the administrative areas of the region. The analysis of epidemiological risk helped establish territories with a very high risk of neoplasms and respiratory diseases in children. Conclusion: Further research should be aimed at identifying factors that have an adverse effect on children’s health in the municipalities in order to minimize their impact, which is the main task of public health monitoring.