Heterogeneity in subnational mortality in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of Belgian districts in 2020.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to major shocks in mortality trends in many countries. Yet few studies have evaluated the heterogeneity of the mortality shocks at the sub-national level, rigorously accounting for the different sources of uncertainty.

Methods

Using death registration data from Belgium, we first assess change in the heterogeneity of districts' standardized mortality ratios in 2020, when compared to previous years. We then measure the shock effect of the pandemic using district-level values of life expectancy, comparing districts' observed and projected life expectancy, accounting for all sources of uncertainty (stemming from life-table construction at district level and from projection methods at country and district levels). Bayesian modelling makes

SUBMITTER: Schluter BS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9073828 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature