Tool for tracking all-cause mortality and estimating excess mortality to support the COVID-19 pandemic response

Authors

  • Mengjuan Duan Division of Data, Strategy & Innovation Team, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
  • Mark S Handcock Department of Statistics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
  • Bart Blackburn Department of Statistics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
  • Fiona Kee Division of Data, Strategy & Innovation Team, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
  • Viema Biaukula Division of Health Security and Emergencies, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
  • Tamano Matsui Division of Health Security and Emergencies, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
  • Babatunde Olowokure Division of Health Security and Emergencies, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2022.13.2.921

Abstract

Problem: Quantifying mortality from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is difficult, especially in countries with limited resources. Comparing mortality data between countries is also challenging, owing to differences in methods for reporting mortality.

Context: Tracking all-cause mortality (ACM) and comparing it with expected ACM from pre-pandemic data can provide an estimate of the overall burden of mortality related to the COVID-19 pandemic and support public health decision-making. This study validated an ACM calculator to estimate excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Action: The ACM calculator was developed as a tool for computing expected ACM and excess mortality at national and subnational levels. It was developed using R statistical software, was based on a previously described model that used non-parametric negative binomial regression and was piloted in several countries. Goodness-of-fit was validated by forecasting 2019 mortality from 2015–2018 data.

Outcome: Three key lessons were identified from piloting the tool: using the calculator to compare reported provisional ACM with expected ACM can avoid potential false conclusions from comparing with historical averages alone; using disaggregated data at the subnational level can detect excess mortality by avoiding dilution of total numbers at the national level; and interpretation of results should consider system-related performance indicators.

Discussion: Timely tracking of ACM to estimate excess mortality is important for the response to COVID-19. The calculator can provide countries with a way to analyse and visualize ACM and excess mortality at national and subnational levels.

Published

25-05-2022

How to Cite

1.
Duan M, Handcock MS, Blackburn B, Kee F, Biaukula V, Matsui T, Olowokure B. Tool for tracking all-cause mortality and estimating excess mortality to support the COVID-19 pandemic response. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2022 May 25 [cited 2024 Dec. 7];13(2):7. Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/921

Issue

Section

COVID-19: Lessons from the Field

Categories

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