The association between E. coli exceedances in drinking water supplies and healthcare utilisation of older people.

ABSTRACT: Evidence concerning the effects of indicators of waterborne pathogens on healthcare systems is of importance for policymaking, future infrastructure considerations and healthcare planning. This paper examines the association between the detection of E. coli in water tests associated with drinking water supplies and the use of healthcare services by older people in Ireland. Uniquely, three sources of data are linked to conduct the analysis. Administrative records of E. coli exceedances recorded from routine water quality tests carried out by Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency are first linked to maps of water systems infrastructure in Ireland. Then, residential addresses of participants of The Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing (TILDA), a nationally representative survey of over 50-y

SUBMITTER: Mohan G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9436125 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature