Death Files Research Articles

Do Sheriff-Coroners Underreport Officer-Involved Homicides?

In the United States, each state sets its own standards for its death investigation system. These may require independent medical examiners and coroners or allow for the sheriff to assume the role of coroner. Motivated by the well-established fact that counts of officer-involved homicides in official data sets grossly undercount the number of these incidents, we examine the possibility that different death investigation systems may lead to different death classification outcomes. To examine the potential differences in officer-involved homicide underreporting by presence of sheriff-coroner and violent death type (gunshot, intentional use of force, pursuit, or other vehicle accident), we compare ratios of incidents from both the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Supplementary Homicide Reports and the restricted Multiple-Cause of Death files from the National Vital Statistics System to the Fatal Encounters data across coroner contexts in California between 2000 and 2018; we quantify differences descriptively and examine bivariate tests of means. We find significantly greater underreporting of officer-involved deaths in sheriff-coroner counties in both official data sets for all incidents compared with non-sheriff-coroner counties, independently of the period considered. These underreporting differences in the National Vital Statistics System are robust to restricting to gunshot and intentional use of force deaths, the type of incident expected to be less prone to misclassification in that data set. Officer-involved death underreporting in sheriff-coroner counties necessitates further scrutiny. Disparities in officer-involved death reporting suggest political pressure may play a role in classifying deaths.

Abstract 14945: Geographic Disparity in Mortality From Aortic Diseases in the United States

Introduction: Aortic diseases (AD) have a high mortality rate. Previous studies have reported that winter season and/or lower temperature climates were associated with a higher incidence of hospitalization due to AD. It remains unclear whether this observation can be translated into higher mortality rate in the country level. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that AD mortality might be higher in areas of the United States with colder climates or longer winter seasons. Methods: The underlying cause of death file in the CDC WONDER online database was queried between 2015 and 2019. AD deaths were identified by listing aortic aneurysm and dissection (ICD-10 code: I71) as underlying cause of death among persons aged ≥ 35 years. We calculated age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) at the Census region level and stratified by sex and race-ethnicity groups (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic) per 100,000 population. Adjusted linear regression model by sex and race/ethnicity groups was used to examine the association between AAMR and Census region. We also calculated state-level AAMR of AD, and compared AAMRs in top-5 warmest states with those in the top-5 coldest states in winter. Results: A total of 46,708 AD deaths were identified between 2015 and 2019. AAMR in Midwest was the highest (4.7), followed by West (4.0), Northeast (3.8), and South (3.7). In comparison with South as a referent, Midwest was significantly associated with higher AAMR after adjusting for gender and race/ethnicity groups (beta coefficient: 0.87 [95% confidence interval: 0.37 - 1.37], p-value = 0.002). State-level AAMR seemed higher in northern part of the US and AAMRs were significantly higher in the coldest states compared with the warmest states in winter (p < 0.05) (Figure). Conclusion: The present study showed that the states with colder climates in winter season was significantly associated with higher AAMR in, suggesting that geographical factors are likely to affect the mortality rate in AD.

Epidemiology and trends in stroke mortality in the USA, 1975-2019.

Whether changes in stroke mortality are affected by age distribution and birth cohorts, and if the decline in stroke mortality exhibits heterogeneity by stroke type, remains uncertain. We undertook a sequential time series analysis to examine stroke mortality trends in the USA among people aged 18-84 years between 1975 and 2019 (n = 4 332 220). Trends were examined for overall stroke and by ischaemic and haemorrhagic subtypes. Mortality data were extracted from the US death files, and age-sex population data were extracted from US census. Age-standardized stroke mortality rates and incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% confidence interval [CI] were derived from Poisson regression models. Age-standardized stroke mortality declined for females from 87.5 in 1975 to 30.9 per 100 000 in 2019 (IRR 0.27, 95% CI 0.26, 0.27; average annual decline -2.78%, 95% CI -2.79, -2.78). Among males, age-standardized mortality rate declined from 112.1 in 1975 to 38.7 per 100 000 in 2019 (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.26, 0.27; average annual decline -2.80%, 95% CI -2.81, -2.79). Stroke mortality increased sharply with advancing age. Decline in stroke mortality was steeper for ischaemic than haemorrhagic strokes. Stroke mortality rates have substantially declined, more so for ischaemic than haemorrhagic strokes.

Trends in mortality from alcohol, opioid, and combined alcohol and opioid poisonings by sex, educational attainment, and race and ethnicity for the United States 2000–2019

BackgroundThe ongoing opioid epidemic and increases in alcohol-related mortality are key public health concerns in the USA, with well-documented inequalities in the degree to which groups with low and high education are affected. This study aimed to quantify disparities over time between educational and racial and ethnic groups in sex-specific mortality rates for opioid, alcohol, and combined alcohol and opioid poisonings in the USA.MethodsThe 2000–2019 Multiple Cause of Death Files from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) were used alongside population counts from the Current Population Survey 2000–2019. Alcohol, opioid, and combined alcohol and opioid poisonings were assigned using ICD-10 codes. Sex-stratified generalized least square regression models quantified differences between educational and racial and ethnic groups and changes in educational inequalities over time.ResultsBetween 2000 and 2019, there was a 6.4-fold increase in opioid poisoning deaths, a 4.6-fold increase in combined alcohol and opioid poisoning deaths, and a 2.1-fold increase in alcohol poisoning deaths. Educational inequalities were observed for all poisoning outcomes, increasing over time for opioid-only and combined alcohol and opioid mortality. For non-Hispanic White Americans, the largest educational inequalities were observed for opioid poisonings and rates were 7.5 (men) and 7.2 (women) times higher in low compared to high education groups. Combined alcohol and opioid poisonings had larger educational inequalities for non-Hispanic Black men and women (relative to non-Hispanic White), with rates 8.9 (men) and 10.9 (women) times higher in low compared to high education groups.ConclusionsFor all types of poisoning, our analysis indicates wide and increasing gaps between those with low and high education with the largest inequalities observed for opioid-involved poisonings for non-Hispanic Black and White men and women. This study highlights population sub-groups such as individuals with low education who may be at the highest risk of increasing mortality from combined alcohol and opioid poisonings. Thereby the findings are crucial for the development of targeted public health interventions to reduce poisoning mortality and the socioeconomic inequalities related to it.

Racial differences in the impact of maternal smoking on sudden unexpected infant death.

BackgroundPrenatal smoking increases the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). Whether exposure patterns and associations differ by race requires further study.ObjectivesDetermine if patterns of exposure and associations between SUID and maternal smoking before and during pregnancy differ by race.MethodsUsing U.S. National Center for Health Statistics linked birth/infant death files 2012–2013, we documented SUID by smoking duration and race. Maternal smoking history: never, pre-pregnancy only, and pre-pregnancy plus first, first, second, or all trimesters.ResultsSmoking was more common in non-Hispanic White (NHW) than non-Hispanic Black (NHB) mothers and more evident for both in SUID cases. The most common exposure duration is from before and throughout pregnancy (SUID: 78.3% NHW, 66.9% NHB; Survivors: 60.22% and 53.96%, respectively). NHB vs. NHW SUID rates per 1000 live births were 1.07 vs. 0.34 for non-smokers and 3.06 and 1.79 for smokers, ORs trended upward for both with increasing smoking duration.ConclusionFewer NHB mothers smoked, but both NHB and NHW groups exhibited a dose-response relationship between smoking duration and SUID. The most common duration was from before to the end of pregnancy, suggesting difficulty in quitting and a need for effective interventions.

A SENSE OF IMPENDING DOOM: MASSIVE AORTIC ABDOMINAL ANEURYSM PRESENTING AS SUBACUTE BACK PAIN

A SENSE OF IMPENDING DOOM: MASSIVE AORTIC ABDOMINAL ANEURYSM PRESENTING AS SUBACUTE BACK PAIN

Disparities in infant mortality by maternal race and Hispanic origin, 2017-2018

Disparities in infant mortality by race and Hispanic origin groups continue to persist in the United States. Maternal and infant characteristics known to be associated with infant mortality vary by race and ethnicity. This report describes racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality in the United States using the 2017-2018 cohort linked birth/infant death files from the National Vital Statistics System. Distributions of births and infant mortality rates are described by selected maternal and infant characteristics. Adjusted rates and rate ratios from logistic regression models, compared to unadjusted rates and ratios, show the extent to which race and Hispanic origin disparities would be attenuated if all groups had the same distributions of select maternal and infant factors. Results support the premise that the different distributions of several variables across racial/ethnic groups, most notably gestational age, account for a significant portion of the disparities in infant mortality between racial/ethnic groups.

Gestational weight gain in triplet pregnancies in the United States

The Institute of Medicine has published national recommendations for optimal pregnancy weight gain ranges for singletons and twins but not for higher-order multiples. A common clinical resource suggests weight gain targets for triplet pregnancies, but they are based on a single, small study conducted over 20 years ago. We sought to describe contemporary maternal weight gain patterns in triplet gestations in the United States, the weight gain patterns associated with good neonatal outcomes, and how these patterns compare with those of healthy twin pregnancies. We used data from 7705 triplet pregnancies drawn from the United States live birth and fetal death files (2012‒2018). We calculated total pregnancy weight gain as weight at delivery minus the prepregnancy weight. A good neonatal outcome was defined as delivery at ≥32 weeks' gestation of 3 liveborn infants weighing ≥1500 g with 5-minute Apgar scores of ≥3. We described the weight gain patterns of triplet pregnancies with good neonatal outcomes by calculating week-specific percentiles of the total weight gain distribution for deliveries at 32 to 37 weeks' gestation. For comparative purposes, we plotted these values against the percentiles of a previously published weight gain chart for monitoring and evaluating twin pregnancies from a referent cohort. Most participants were over weight (26%) or obese (30%), and 42% were normal weight or underweight. The 50th percentile (25th-75th) of total weight gain in triplet pregnancies was 17 (11-23) kg. As the body mass index category increased, the total weight gain declined: underweight or normal weight, median 19 (14-25) kg; overweight, 17 (12-23) kg; obese, 14 (7.7-20) kg. Approximately 46% of triplet pregnancies had a good neonatal outcome (n=3562). For underweight or normal weight triplet pregnancies with good neonatal outcomes, the 50th percentiles of weight gain at 32 weeks' and 36 weeks' gestation were 12.3 kg and 22.7 kg, respectively. The 10th and 90th percentiles were 12.3 kg and 32.7 kg, respectively, at 32 weeks, and 15.0 kg and 34.1 kg, respectively, at 36 weeks. Triplet pregnancies with prepregnancy overweight or obesity and a good neonatal outcome had lower weight gains. Compared with the reference values for pregnancy weight gain from a twin-specific weight gain chart, the median total weight gain in triplet pregnancies with good neonatal outcomes was approximately 3 to 5 kg more than twins, regardless of body mass index. Our study fills an important gap in understanding how much weight gain can be expected among triplet pregnancies by body mass index category. These descriptive data are a necessary first step to inform science-based triplet gestational weight gain guidelines. Additional research is needed to determine whether monitoring triplet pregnancy weight gain is useful for promoting healthy outcomes for pregnant individuals and children and what targets should be used to optimize maternal and neonatal health.

Examining Disparities and Excess Cardiovascular Mortality Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ObjectiveTo investigate the patterns and demographic features of cardiovascular disease (CVD) death and subtypes myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and heart failure in the pre–COVID-19 era (2018-2019) vs during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) in the United States. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we used the US Multiple Cause of Death files for 2018 to 2021 to examine the trend of excess cause-specific deaths using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes for CVD (I00 to I99), MI (I21 and I22), stroke (I60 to I69), and heart failure (I42 and I50). Our primary outcome was excess mortality from CVD and its 3 subtypes (MI, stroke, and heart failure) between prepandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) years. We performed a subgroup analysis on race and month-to-month and year-to-year variation using χ2 analysis to test statistical significance. ResultsOverall, 3,598,352 CVD deaths were analyzed during the study period. There was a 6.7% excess CVD mortality, 2.5% MI mortality, and 8.5% stroke mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) compared with the prepandemic era (2018-2019). Black individuals had higher excess CVD mortality (13.8%) than White individuals (5.1%; P<.001). This remained consistent across subtypes of CVD, including MI (9.6% vs 1.0%; P<.001), stroke (14.5% vs 6.9%; P<.001), and heart failure (5.1% vs −1.2%; P<.001). ConclusionThere has been a significant rise in CVD and subtype-specific mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic that has been persistent despite 2 years since the onset of the pandemic. Excess CVD mortality has disproportionately affected Black compared with White individuals. Further studies targeting and eliminating health care disparities are necessary.

Proportionate and Absolute Vascular Disease Mortality by Race and Sex in the United States From 1999 to 2019.

BackgroundDespite the known significant morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), contemporary data describing racial demographics in PVD mortality are scarce.Methods and ResultsUsing the multiple causes of death file from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Wide‐Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research, we analyzed the trends of age‐adjusted mortality (AAMR) for PVD and its subtypes (aortic aneurysm/dissection, arterial thrombosis, venous thrombosis/disease, pulmonary embolism), by race and sex between 1999 and 2019. Of the 17 826 871 deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease, a total of 888 187 (5.0%) PVD deaths were analyzed during the study period (12.4% Black, 85.6% White). Between 1999 and 2019, AAMR for PVD decreased by 52% (24.8–11.8 per 100 000 people) in the overall population. Despite a decrease in the overall mortality across all race and sex groups, Black men and Black women continued to have higher mortality for PVD (1.5×), aortic dissection (1.8×), arterial thrombosis (1.3×), and venous thrombosis/disease (2.0×) mortality compared with White men and White women in 2019. While there was a 53% decrease in PVD among White individuals (AAMR 24.5–11.5 per 100 000), there was only a 43% decrease (30.0–17.1) in PVD AAMR in Black individuals between 1999 and 2019. The ratio of PVD AAMR increased from 1.2 (1999) to 1.5 (2019) in Black men/White men and from to 1.3 (1999) to 1.5 (2019) in Black women/White women. Similar trends were noted in aortic dissection (Black men/White men, 1.2–1.8; and Black women/White women, 1.5–1.7), arterial thrombosis (Black men/White men, 1.0–1.3; and Black women/White women, 0.9–1.3), and venous thrombosis/disease (Black men/White men, 1.7–1.8; and Black women/White women, 1.7–2.0).ConclusionsIn this retrospective review of death certificate data in the United States, we demonstrate continued significant disparities between Black and White populations in PVD mortality and its subtypes. Future studies should investigate etiologies and social determinants of PVD mortality.

Association of Liver Function Tests with Mortality in an Insurance Applicant Population.

-Determine the relationship between liver function test (LFT) results (GGT, alkaline phosphatase, AST, ALT and albumin) and all-cause mortality in life insurance applicants. -By use of the Social Security Master Death File, mortality was examined in 15,272,955 insurance applicants for whom blood samples were submitted to the Clinical Reference Laboratory. There were 268,593 deaths observed in this study population, after an average follow-up time of 10.9 years. Results were stratified by sex and by age less/greater than 60, creating 4 groups. Liver function test values were grouped using percentiles of their distribution within these age/ sex groups - so as to update the results generated in prior publications. Additional models were fit using different exclusions and percentile groups within single year age groups. Also, LFTs were treated as continuous variables and included in Cox models with age and smoking status. -Using the risk of the middle 50% of the population by distribution as a reference, relative mortality observed for GGT and alkaline phosphatase was linear with a steep slope from very low to high values. AST showed a J-shaped association with mortality. ALT showed a low-magnitude inverse correlation with mortality. Albumin demonstrated a higher-magnitude inverse correlation with mortality, especially at values below the median. The overall risk associated with LFTs was durable over at least 10 years of follow-up. -Liver function tests show a strong and durable correlation to mortality in a large group of insurance applicants. The durability over time suggests that even older values of LFTs found in medical records could be of use in mortality risk prediction.

"Sugar-Sweetened Beverages" Is an Independent Risk From Pancreatic Cancer: Based on Half a Million Asian Cohort Followed for 25 Years.

Although the link between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and pancreatic cancer has been suggested for its insulin-stimulating connection, most epidemiological studies showed inconclusive relationship. Whether the result was limited by sample size is explored. This prospective study followed 491,929 adults, consisting of 235,427 men and 256,502 women (mean age: 39.9, standard deviation: 13.2), from a health surveillance program and there were 523 pancreatic cancer deaths between 1994 and 2017. The individual identification numbers of the cohort were matched with the National Death file for mortality, and Cox models were used to assess the risk. The amount of SSB intake was recorded based on the average consumption in the month before interview by a structured questionnaire. We classified the amount of SSB intake into 4 categories: 0–<0.5 serving/day, ≥0.5–<1 serving per day, ≥1–<2 servings per day, and ≥2 servings per day. One serving was defined as equivalent to 12 oz and contained 35 g added sugar. We used the age and the variables at cohort enrolment as the reported risks of pancreatic cancers. The cohort was divided into 3 age groups, 20–39, 40–59, and ≥60. We found young people (age <40) had higher prevalence and frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages than the elderly. Those consuming 2 servings/day had a 50% increase in pancreatic cancer mortality (HR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.08–2.24) for the total cohort, but a 3-fold increase (HR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.44–6.62) for the young. The risk started at 1 serving every other day, with a dose–response relationship. The association of SSB intake of ≥2 servings/day with pancreatic cancer mortality among the total cohort remained significant after excluding those who smoke or have diabetes (HR: 2.12, 97% CI: 1.26–3.57), are obese (HR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.08–2.30), have hypertension (HR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.20–3.00), or excluding who died within 3 years after enrollment (HR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.15–2.45). Risks remained in the sensitivity analyses, implying its independent nature. We concluded that frequent drinking of SSB increased pancreatic cancer in adults, with highest risk among young people.

Postmortem Diagnostic Overshadowing: Reporting Cerebral Palsy on Death Certificates.

Postmortem diagnostic overshadowing-defined as inaccurately reporting a disability as the underlying cause of death-occurs for over half of adults with cerebral palsy. This practice obscures cause of death trends, reducing the effectiveness of efforts to reduce premature mortality among this marginalized health population. Using data from the National Vital Statistics System 2005 to 2017 U.S. Multiple Cause of Death files (N = 29,996), we identify factors (sociodemographic characteristics, aspects of the context and processing of death, and comorbidities) associated with the inaccurate reporting of cerebral palsy as the underlying cause of death. Results suggest that inaccurate reporting is associated with heightened contexts of clinical uncertainty, the false equivalence of disability and health, and potential racial-ethnic bias. Ending postmortem diagnostic overshadowing will require training on disability and health for those certifying death certificates and efforts to redress ableist death certification policies.

Variation in Restrictive Abortion Policies and Adverse Birth Outcomes in the United States from 2005 to 2015.

Since 2011, U.S. states have enacted more than 400 policies restricting abortion access. As structural determinants, abortion policies have the potential to influence maternal and child health access, outcomes, and equity through multiple mechanisms. Limited research has examined their implications for birth outcomes. We created a state-level abortion restrictiveness index composed of 18 restrictive abortion policies and evaluated the association between this index and individual-level probabilities of preterm birth (PTB) and low birthweight (LBW) within the United States and by Census Region, using data from the 2005-2015 National Center for Health Statistics Period Linked Live Birth-Infant Death Files. We used logistic multivariable regression modeling, adjusting for individual- and state-level factors and state and year fixed effects. Among 2,500,000 live births, 269,253 (12.0%) were PTBs and 182,960 (8.1%) were LBW. On average from 2005 to 2015, states had approximately seven restrictive abortion policies enacted, with more policies enacted in the Midwest and South. Nationally, relationships between state restrictiveness indices and adverse birth outcomes were insignificant. Regional analyses revealed that a 1 standard deviation increase in a state's restrictiveness index was associated with a 2% increase in PTB in the Midwest (marginal effect [ME], 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.45; p<.01), a 15% increase in LBW in the Northeast (ME, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.12-2.35; p<.05), and a 2% increase in LBW in the West (ME, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.01-0.25; p<.05). Variation in restrictive abortion policy environments may have downstream implications for birth outcomes, and increases in abortion restrictions were associated with adverse birth outcomes in three out of four Census Regions.

Out-of-hospital births and infant mortality in the United States: Effect measure modification by rural maternal residence.

Out-of-hospital births have been increasing in the United States, and home births are almost twice as common in rural vs. urban counties. Planned home births and births in rural areas have each been associated with an increased risk of infant mortality. To estimate the effect of birth setting on infant mortality in the United States and how this is modified by rural-urban county of maternal residence. We conducted a population-based cohort study of infants born in the United States during 2010-2017 using the National Center for Health Statistics' period-linked birth-infant death files. Unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression models were used to calculate infant mortality rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals for out-of-hospital births vs. hospital births stratified by maternal residence. Relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was calculated to assess effect measure modification on the additive scale. The study included 25,210,263live births. Of rural births, 97.8% was in hospitals, 0.5% was in birth centres, and 1.5% was planned home births; of urban births, 98.6% was in hospitals, 0.5% was in birth centres, and 0.7% was planned home births. After adjusting for maternal demographics and markers of high-risk pregnancy and stratifying by maternal residence, infant mortality rates were generally higher for out-of-hospital as compared to hospital births (e.g. rural planned home births aRR1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42, 1.85, and rural birth centre aRR1.33, 95% CI 1.05, 1.68). There were positive additive effects of rural residence on infant mortality for planned home births and birth centre births. Within both rural and urban areas, out-of-hospital births generally had higher rates of infant mortality than hospital births after accounting for maternal demographics and markers of high-risk pregnancy. The risks associated with planned home births and birth centre births were more pronounced for women in rural counties.

Proportionate Cardiovascular Mortality in Chronic Inflammatory Disease in Adults in the United States From 1999 to 2019.

Despite a rising prevalence of chronic inflammatory disease (CID), the recent trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality of patients with CID is scarce. In this study, we investigated patterns of CVD mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with the general population. We used the 1999 to 2019 multiple causes of death files from the national center for health statistics to analyze patterns and trends of proportionate CVD mortality in CID compared with the general population. We analyzed a total of 11,154 CVD deaths in IBD, 58,337 CVD deaths in RA, 6227 CVD deaths in SLE, and 17,826,871 CVD deaths in the general population. Between 1999 and 2019, we found that proportionate CVD mortality decreased significantly in the IBD group (25% to 16%), RA group (34% to 25%), and the general population (41% to 31%), but did not change for the SLE group (15% to 15%). Patients with SLE who died of CVD were approximately 10 years younger compared with CVD decedents with RA, IBD, or general population. The White population had higher proportionate CVD mortality than African American (IBD [19% vs 16%-18%] and SLE [14%-16% vs 12-14%], respectively). This study identifies current trends in CVD mortality in the CID population and elucidates current demographics in CVD mortality in CID. Although proportionate CVD mortality decreased in the general population, and in patients with RA and IBD, there was no change among patients with SLE. Further studies are needed to elucidate these differences.

Racial Inequalities in Mortality from Pediatric Asthma in the United States: Clinical and Public Health Challenges

ABSTRACT In the United States (US), morbidity and mortality from pediatric asthma are increasing. We explored racial inequities using the Multiple Causes of Death Files of the US National Center for Health Statistics and the Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) for 1–14-year-olds from 1999 to 2018. We obtained mortality rates, Black:White mortality rate ratios (MRRs) and Annual Percent Change (APC). We tested for significance with 95% confidence intervals and joinpoint regression. Of 2,731 deaths from asthma, Blacks comprised 65.25% and 21.25% of the population. Black:White MRRs were 6.43 for 1–4, 7.54 for 5–9 and 6.88 for 10–14-year-olds of 6.88. The APC decline of −2.56 (p < 0.05) was significant among Whites but not Blacks. MRRs increased significantly from 4.23 in 2000 to16.57 in 2015 and declined to 6.69 in 2018. Among Black boys and girls, mortality rates were highest in Large Central Metropolitan areas. For Whites, rates were similar by urbanization in girls but were highest in Non-core, Non-metropolitan rural areas in boys. These descriptive data demonstrate statistically significant racial inequities in mortality from pediatric asthma in the US. They generate hypotheses, including, but not limited to, those related to under-resourced families and communities as well as economic and social marginalization. These and other plausible hypotheses require direct testing in analytic epidemiologic studies designed a priori to do so. In the meanwhile, efforts are necessary to strengthen community-driven initiatives and focus attention on inequitable systems, hierarchies, social structure and institutional practices. These include multifactorial interventions for individual, environmental and societal risk factors and educational efforts toward health-care providers and their patients about structural racism; these may combat, at least in part, vulnerabilities in US children and youth and improve racial inequities overall and from pediatric asthma.

Determinants of Breast-Conserving Therapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients: A Nationwide Study

IntroductionEvidence from previous studies and treatment guidelines suggested that breast-conserving therapy (BCT) is the treatment of choice for early-stage breast cancer. However, in the last decades, surgeons have noticed a high percentage of mastectomies done in this population. The aim of this study is to explore the factors associated with not choosing BCT among eligible patients with early-stage breast cancer. Materials and MethodsThis study uses a retrospective cohort design. Demographic and clinical characteristics derived from The Taiwan Cancer Registry Database, the National Health Insurance Database and the Death File Database from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2014. Patients were followed until December 31, 2015. To explore the associated factors related to BCT, we used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. ResultsA total sample of 25,967 stage I breast cancer patients was included. Among them, 12,191 underwent BCT and 13,776 underwent mastectomy as their primary treatment. The logistic regression analysis reveals that age, pay-for-performance (P4P) program participation, number of affected lymph nodes, tumor size and location, were determinants of BCT. Interestingly enough, histological type did not reach the significance level. ConclusionThis study shows that personal and clinical characteristics influence the treatment choice in stage 1 breast cancer patients.

Maternal, infant, and environmental risk factors for sudden unexpected infant deaths: results from a large, administrative cohort

Objectives Many studies of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) have focused on individual domains of risk factors (maternal, infant, and environmental), resulting in limited capture of this multifactorial outcome. The objective of this study was to examine the geographic distribution of SUID in San Diego County, and assess maternal, infant, and environmental risk factors from a large, administrative research platform. Study design Births in California between 2005 and 2017 were linked to hospital discharge summaries and death files. From this retrospective birth cohort, cases of SUID were identified from infant death files in San Diego County. We estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for infant, maternal, and environmental factors and SUID in multivariable Cox regression analysis. Models were adjusted for maternal sociodemographic characteristics and prenatal nicotine exposure. Results There were 211 (44/100,000 live births; absolute risk 0.04%) infants with a SUID among 484,905 live births. There was heterogeneity in geographic distribution of cases. Multiparity (0.05%; aHR 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1, 1.9), maternal depression (0.11%; aHR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0, 3.4), substance-related diagnoses (0.27%; aHR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3, 3.8), cannabis-related diagnosis (0.35%; aHR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5, 5.0), prenatal nicotine use (0.23%; aHR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5, 4.2), preexisting hypertension (0.11%; aHR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2, 4.3), preterm delivery (0.09%; aHR 2.1, 95% CI 1.5, 3.0), infant with a major malformation (0.09%; aHR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1, 3.6), respiratory distress syndrome (0.12%; aHR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5, 4.6), and select environmental factors were all associated with SUID. Conclusions Multiple risk factors were confirmed and expanded upon, and the geographic distribution for SUID in San Diego County was identified. Through this approach, prevention efforts can be targeted to geographies that would benefit the most.

The ability of physical activity in reducing mortality risks and cardiovascular loading and in extending life expectancy in patients with COPD

For chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the role of physical activity in reducing COPD mortality and heart loading and in extending life expectancy remains unclear. Participants in comprehensive medical screening were recruited with spirometry on everyone. We analyzed physical activity volume calculated from intensity, duration and frequency of self-reported exercise history. Deaths were identified from the National Death File. The impacts of physical activity on mortality, heart rate and life expectancy were analyzed. Among the cohort of 483,603 adults, 32,535 had spirometry-determined COPD, indicating an adjusted national prevalence of 11.4% (male) and 9.8% (female). On the average, COPD increased all-cause mortality with a hazard ratio of 1.44 and loss of 6.0 years in life expectancy. Almost two thirds (65%) of the causes of deaths were extra-pulmonary, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and kidney diseases. In addition, COPD was associated with increases in heart rate proportionate to its severity, which led to higher mortality. Participants with COPD who were fully active physically could reduce mortality and have improved heart rates as compared with those without physical activity. In addition, their life expectancy could be extended close to those of the no COPD but inactive cohort. Fully active physical activity can help patients with COPD overcome most of the mortality risks, decrease heart rate, and achieve a life expectancy close to that of patients without COPD. The effectiveness of physical activity on COPD is facilitated by its systemic nature beyond lung disease.