Project description:ObjectivesThe state of West Bengal witnessed a significant surge of COVID-19 in all three waves. However, there is a gap in understanding the economic loss associated with COVID-19. This study estimates future non-health gross domestic product (NHGDP) losses associated with COVID-19 deaths in West Bengal, India.SettingVarious open domains were used to gather data on COVID-19 deaths in West Bengal and the aforementioned estimates.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe NHGDP losses were evaluated using the cost-of-illness approach. Future NHGDP losses were discounted at 3%. Excess death estimates by the WHO and Global Burden of Disease (GBD) were used. Sensitivity analysis was carried out by varying discount rates and average age of death (AAD).Results21 532 deaths in West Bengal from 17 March 2020 to 31 December 2022 decreased the future NHGDP by $0.92 billion. Nearly 90% of loss was due to deaths occurring in the age group of 30 years and above. Majority of the NHGDP loss was borne by the 46-60 years age group. NHGDP loss/death was $55,171; however, the average loss/death declined with rise in age. Based on the GBD and WHO excess death estimates, the NHGDP loss increased to $9.38 billion and $9.42 billion, respectively. When the lower age interval is considered as AAD, the NHGDP loss increased to $1.3 billion. At 5% and 10% discount rates, the losses reduced to $0.767 billion and $0.549 billion, respectively.ConclusionsResults from the study suggest that COVID-19 contributed to a major economic loss in West Bengal. The mortality and morbidity caused by COVID-19, the substantial economic costs at individual and population levels in West Bengal, and probably across India and other countries, is another economic argument for better infection control strategies across the globe to minimise the impact of COVID-19.
Project description:Background: Dynamics of health care has changed over time along with development of the countries themselves. The aim of the study is to compare macroeconomic and health expenditure indicators of interest, such as total health expenditure (THE) as percentage of global domestic product, global domestic product per capita in US$, and private households' out-of-pocket payments of Balkan and Eastern European countries on health, as well as to assess their progress over the observed period. Methods: This research report represents a descriptive data analysis of indicators extracted from the European Health for All database. The data were analyzed using a linear trend and regression analysis to estimate the timeline changes. Results: Greece and Slovenia have the largest median values of global domestic product per capita throughout the whole period, and the largest increment trend was in Lithuania. Median value in out-of-pocket payment of THE was the highest in Albania and Ukraine, while the largest decrease in trend was noticed in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Greece had the largest median value of THE as percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the observed period, while regression trend analysis showed that Serbia had the largest increase. Most of the countries showed a significant correlation between observed indicators. Conclusion: Trends in the economy must be constantly monitored due to the fact that the population is aging and non-communicable diseases are multiplying, which requires innovations in medical treatment and pharmaceutical development.
Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between vaccination rates and excess mortality during distinct waves of SARS-CoV-2 variant-specific infections, while considering a state's GDP per capita.MethodsWe ranked U.S. states by vaccination rates and GDP and employed the CDC's excess mortality model for regression and odds ratio analysis.ResultsRegression analysis reveals that both vaccination and GDP are significant factors related to mortality when considering the entire U.S. population. Notably, in wealthier states (with GDP above $65,000), excess mortality is primarily driven by slow vaccination rates, while in less affluent states, low GDP plays a major role. Odds ratio analysis demonstrates an almost twofold increase in mortality linked to the Delta and Omicron BA.1 virus variants in states with the slowest vaccination rates compared to those with the fastest (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.7-1.9, p < 0.01). However, this gap disappeared in the post-Omicron BA.1 period.ConclusionThe interplay between slow vaccination and low GDP per capita drives high mortality.
Project description:ObjectivesMass vaccination and cardiometabolic disorders have been reported to influence COVID-19 prognosis and mortality burden. We applied a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to explore the associations between COVID-19 mortality, full vaccination coverage, and cardiometabolic health indicators in Southeast Asia (SEAR).MethodsA region-wide ecological analysis of aggregate COVID-19 data from 10 SEAR countries (January 2020 to December 2022) was performed. The databases used were from the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center and the WHO Health Organization. Excess deaths associated with COVID-19 per 100,000 and case fatality rate were the outcome variables. A GLMM was performed to determine the predictors of COVID-19 mortality, and adjustments were made for sociodemographic variables. The statistical significance level was set at P <0.01 (double-sided).ResultsThe adjusted GLMM analysis showed that the number of excess deaths due to COVID-19 per 100,000 was strongly and positively associated with age-standardized smoking (coefficient of determination [coeff.] = 9.18 [standard error (SE): 2.15]; P <0.001) and hypertension prevalence (coeff. = 25.98 [SE: 9.15]; P <0.01), whereas it was strongly and negatively associated with the full vaccination coverage rate (coeff. = -5.23 [SE: 1.54]; P <0.01) and gross domestic product per capita/purchasing power parity (coeff. = -102.01 [SE: 18.31]; P <0.001). The COVID-19 case fatality rate was positively associated with the age-standardized prevalence of hypertension (coeff. = 0.30 [SE: 0.16]; P <0.01) and negatively correlated with the full vaccination coverage rate (coeff. = -0.05 [SE: 0.01]; P <0.01) and gross domestic product per capita/purchasing power parity (coeff. = -1.09 (SE: 0.34); p<0.001). The associations observed in the multivariate analysis remained in the stratified analysis by quartile.ConclusionsThe study findings suggest that implementing effective public health interventions that would have increased vaccine uptake and improve cardiometabolic health on one hand and initiatives that enhance country-level economy on the other hand would have reduced COVID-19 mortality in the SEAR.
Project description:IntroductionGross domestic product (GDP) has been shown to affect government spending on various budget heads including healthcare and the purchase and distribution of vaccines. This vulnerable situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted and exposed the fragile nature of equitable access to vaccines for childhood immunisation globally. A systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association of country income status and GDP with vaccination coverage of vaccines for childhood immunisation and other major infectious diseases around the globe will inform global and national policy on equity in living standards and vaccine uptake. This study was carried out to identify factors influenced by GDP that affect access, distribution, and uptake of childhood vaccines around the world using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach.MethodsData were extracted for the burden of major infectious diseases of childhood immunisation programmes, factors affecting access to vaccines, vaccine procurement platforms, vaccination coverage and percentage of GDP used for the procurement of vaccines. Factors influencing the global vaccination coverage rate were also assessed. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022350418) and carried out using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.ResultsData from 195 countries showed that the following infectious diseases had the highest burden; human papillomavirus (HPV), measles, Ebola and yellow fever. Low-income and some lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) used COVAX and UNICEF for vaccine procurement while high-income countries (HICs) preferred national and regional public tenders. Global vaccination coverage for tuberculosis, diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, polio, meningitis and HPV had a significantly higher coverage than COVID-19. Being an HIC and having coverage data collected from 1985 to 2015 as the most current data were associated with high vaccination coverage. The percentage of GDP spent on vaccine procurement did not influence vaccination coverage.ConclusionLow-income countries and LMICs should prioritise vaccine research and improve on development capacity. Countries worldwide should share data on vaccine expenditure, vaccination coverage, and the development and introduction of new vaccines and technologies to facilitate equitable vaccine access.
Project description:BackgroundThe 5000 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's database affords an opportunity to research for variables related to the differences between nations of their output of schizophrenia trials.MethodsEcological study--investigating the relationship between four economic/demographic variables and number of schizophrenia RCTs per country. The variable with closest correlation was used to predict the expected number of studies.ResultsGDP closely correlated with schizophrenia trial output, with 76% of the total variation about the Y explained by the regression line (r = 0.87, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.92, r2 = 0.76). Many countries have a strong tradition of schizophrenia trials, exceeding their predicted output. All nations with no identified trial output had GDPs that predicted zero trial activity. Several nations with relatively small GDPs are, nevertheless, highly productive of trials. Some wealthy countries seem either not to have produced the expected number of randomised trials or not to have disseminated them to the English-speaking world.ConclusionsThis hypothesis-generating study could not investigate causal relationships, but suggests, that for those seeking all relevant studies, expending effort searching the scientific literature of Germany, Italy, France, Brazil and Japan may be a good investment.
Project description:Maximizing science achievement is a critical target of educational policy and has important implications for national and international economic and technological competitiveness. Previous research has identified both science interest and socioeconomic status (SES) as robust predictors of science achievement, but little research has examined their joint effects. In a data set drawn from approximately 400,000 high school students from 57 countries, we documented large Science Interest × SES and Science Interest × Per Capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) interactions in the prediction of science achievement. Student interest in science is a substantially stronger predictor of science achievement in higher socioeconomic contexts and in higher-GDP nations. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that in higher-opportunity contexts, motivational factors play larger roles in learning and achievement. They add to the growing body of evidence indicating that substantial cross-national differences in psychological effect sizes are not simply a logical possibility but, in many cases, an empirical reality.
Project description:BackgroundThe spread of COVID-19 depends on a lot of social and economic factors.The aimto study the influence of country's gross domestic product, population prevalence of overweight/ obesity, NCD mortality, and vaccination on COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates.MethodsA cross-sectional study with two phases: correlation-regression interrelations in 1) all world countries; 2) all world non-island countries. The study includes the following data from 218 world countries: COVID-19 morbidity/mortality rates, GDP per capita, the prevalence of overweight/ obesity, NCD mortality among adults (both sexes), people fully vaccinated against COVID-19.ResultsAn average percentage of the prevalence of overweight among adults in world countries by 2019 was 47.31 ± 15.99%, obesity 18.34 ± 9.64%, while the prevalence by 2016 were 39% and 13%, respectively. Overweight and obesity among adults during three years grew by 21.2% and 40.8%, respectively. Data from the world countries provide significant correlations (p < 0.0001) between COVID-19 morbidity, and: GDP (r = 0.517), overweight (r = 0.54), obesity (r = 0.528), NCD mortality (r = 0.537); COVID-19 mortality, and: GDP (r = 0.344), overweight (r = 0.514), obesity (r = 0.489), NCD mortality (r = 0.611); GDP, and: overweight (r = 0.507), obesity (r = 0.523), NCD mortality (r = 0.35), fully vaccinated people (r = 0.754). An increase in fully vaccinated people, from 3% to 30% of world population, decreases new confirmed COVID-19 cases, although the dependence was not significant (p = 0.07). Data from non-island world countries provides more highly significant correlations (p < 0.0001) between COVID-19 morbidity, and: GDP (r = 0.616), overweight (r = 0.581), obesity (r = 0.583); COVID-19 mortality, and: GDP (r = 0.43), overweight (r = 0.556), obesity (r = 0.539); GDP, and: overweight (r = 0.601), obesity (r = 0.633). The differences of correlation coefficients between data of 176 world countries and data of 143 world non-island countries were not significant (Z-scores<1.29; p > 0.05).ConclusionThe study provides evidence of a significant impact of overweight/obesity prevalence on the increase in COVID-19 morbidity/mortality. Countries with higher GDP have a high overweight/obesity prevalence and possibility to get vaccinated.
Project description:BackgroundNew data on COVID-19 may influence the stringency of containment policies, but these potential effect are not understood. We aimed to understand the associations of new COVID-19 cases and deaths with policy stringency globally and regionally.MethodsWe modelled the marginal effects of new COVID-19 cases and deaths on policy stringency (scored 0-100) in 175 countries and territories, adjusting for gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and health expenditure (% of GDP), and public expenditure on health. The time periods examined were March to August 2020, September 2020 to February 2021, and March to August 2021.ResultsPolicy response to new cases and deaths was faster and more stringent early in the COVID-19 pandemic (March to August 2020) compared to subsequent periods. New deaths were more strongly associated with stringent policies than new cases. In an average week, one new death per 100 000 people was associated with a stringency increase of 2.1 units in the March to August 2020 period, 1.3 units in the September 2020 to February 2021 period, and 0.7 units in the March to August 2021 period. New deaths in Africa and the Western Pacific were associated with more stringency than in other regions. Higher health expenditure as a percentage of GDP was associated with less stringent policies. Similarly, higher public expenditure on health by governments was mostly associated with less stringency across all three periods. GDP per capita did not have consistent patterns of associations with stringency.ConclusionsThe stringency of COVID-19 policies was more strongly associated with new deaths than new cases. Our findings demonstrate the need for enhanced mortality surveillance to ensure policy alignment during health emergencies. Countries that invest less in health or have a lower public expenditure on health may be inclined to enact more stringent policies. This new empirical understanding of COVID-19 policy drivers can help public health officials anticipate and shape policy responses in future health emergencies.