Ashton M Verdery1, Lauren Newmyer1, Brandon Wagner2, Rachel Margolis3. 1. Department of Sociology and Criminology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park. 2. Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, Texas Tech University, Lubbock. 3. Department of Sociology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although individual age and preexisting health conditions are well-documented risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality, it is unclear whether these 2 factors capture unique dimensions of risk for epidemic severity at the national level. In addition, no studies have examined whether national distributions of these factors are associated with epidemic experiences to date. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Drawing on surveys of older adults from 42 countries and estimated case fatality ratios by age and preexisting health conditions, we document and compare national profiles of COVID-19 mortality risks among older adults. We develop 2 measures of national risk profiles: one based on age structures and another based on distributions of preexisting health conditions. Our analysis compares these constructs and documents their associations with national COVID-19 mortality rates. RESULTS: National profiles of COVID-19 mortality risk based on age structure and preexisting health conditions are moderately uncorrelated, capturing different aspects of risk. Both types of national risk profiles correlate meaningfully with countries' COVID-19 mortality experiences to date. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Measures of population age structure are readily available for every country in the world, while cross-national measures of older adult population health are more limited. In the COVID-19 crisis, these factors give different pictures of the countries with high and low risks of COVID-19 mortality. Moreover, our results suggest that both types of national risk profiles based on population health reflect current COVID-19 mortality severity in several countries, highlighting the need for more cross-national comparative data on older adult population health.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although individual age and preexisting health conditions are well-documented risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality, it is unclear whether these 2 factors capture unique dimensions of risk for epidemic severity at the national level. In addition, no studies have examined whether national distributions of these factors are associated with epidemic experiences to date. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Drawing on surveys of older adults from 42 countries and estimated case fatality ratios by age and preexisting health conditions, we document and compare national profiles of COVID-19 mortality risks among older adults. We develop 2 measures of national risk profiles: one based on age structures and another based on distributions of preexisting health conditions. Our analysis compares these constructs and documents their associations with national COVID-19 mortality rates. RESULTS: National profiles of COVID-19 mortality risk based on age structure and preexisting health conditions are moderately uncorrelated, capturing different aspects of risk. Both types of national risk profiles correlate meaningfully with countries' COVID-19 mortality experiences to date. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Measures of population age structure are readily available for every country in the world, while cross-national measures of older adult population health are more limited. In the COVID-19 crisis, these factors give different pictures of the countries with high and low risks of COVID-19 mortality. Moreover, our results suggest that both types of national risk profiles based on population health reflect current COVID-19 mortality severity in several countries, highlighting the need for more cross-national comparative data on older adult population health.
Authors: Suzanne Meeks; Steven M Albert; Rozalyn Anderson; Judith L Howe; Derek M Isaacowitz; Brian Kaskie; Jessica A Kelley; David G Le Couteur; Lewis A Lipsitz Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2021-11-15 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Suzanne Meeks; Steven M Albert; Rozalyn Anderson; Judith L Howe; Derek M Isaacowitz; Brian Kaskie; Jessica A Kelley; David G Le Couteur; Lewis A Lipsitz Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2021-11-15 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: Suzanne Meeks; Steven M Albert; Rozalyn Anderson; Judith L Howe; Derek M Isaacowitz; Brian Kaskie; Jessica A Kelley; David G Le Couteur; Lewis A Lipsitz Journal: Gerontologist Date: 2021-11-15
Authors: Samantha L Cooper; Eleanor Boyle; Sophie R Jefferson; Calum R A Heslop; Pirathini Mohan; Gearry G J Mohanraj; Hamza A Sidow; Rory C P Tan; Stephen J Hill; Jeanette Woolard Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2021-07-31 Impact factor: 6.208