A National Framework to Improve Mortality, Morbidity, and Disparities Data for COVID-19 and Other Large-Scale Disasters
Michael A. Stoto, Charles J. Rothwell, Maureen Y. Lichtveld, Matthew K. Wynia
Abstract
Timely and accurate data on COVID-19 cases and COVID-19‒related deaths are essential for making decisions with significant health, economic, and policy implications. A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine proposes a uniform national framework for data collection to more accurately quantify disaster-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses. This article describes how following the report's recommendations could help improve the quality and timeliness of public health surveillance data during pandemics, with special attention to addressing gaps in the data necessary to understand pandemic-related health disparities.
Topics & Concepts
PandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Scale (ratio)Public healthData collection2019-20 coronavirus outbreakEnvironmental healthMEDLINESevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)MedicineData qualityMedical emergencyData sciencePolitical scienceBusinessGeographyComputer scienceNursingSociologyDiseaseVirologyMarketingOutbreakCartographyPathologySocial scienceMetric (unit)LawInfectious disease (medical specialty)COVID-19 epidemiological studiesDisaster Response and ManagementCOVID-19 and healthcare impacts