Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/80066
Title: Mortality comparisons of COVID-19 with all-cause and non-communicable diseases in Cyprus, Iceland and Malta : lessons learned and forward planning
Authors: Cuschieri, Sarah
Pallari, Elena
Hatziyianni, Amalia
Sigurvinsdottir, Rannveig
Sigfusdottir, Inga Dora
Sigurðardóttir, Árún Kristín
Keywords: COVID-19 (Disease) -- Mortality
COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-
Chronic diseases -- Cyprus
Chronic diseases -- Iceland
Chronic diseases -- Malta
States, Small -- Case studies
Islands -- Medical care
COVID-19 (Disease) -- Prevention
Issue Date: 2021
Publisher: Elsevier
Citation: Cuschieri, S., Pallari, E., Hatziyianni, A., Sigurvinsdottir, R., Sigfusdottir, I. D., & Sigurðardóttir, Á. K. (2021). Mortality comparisons of COVID-19 with all-cause and non-communicable diseases in Cyprus, Iceland and Malta: lessons learned and forward planning. Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2021.03.025.
Abstract: Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has spread throughout the world, including Cyprus, Iceland and Malta. Considering the small population sizes of these three island countries, it was anticipated that COVID-19 would be adequately contained, and mortality would be low. This study aims to compare and contrast COVID-19 mortality with mortality from all-causes and common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) over 8 months between these three islands. Methods: Data were obtained from the Ministry of Health websites and COVID dashboards from Cyprus, Iceland and Malta. The case-fatality ratio (CFR) and years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated. Comparisons were made between the reported cases, deaths, CFR, YLLs, swabbing rates, restrictions and mitigation measures. Results: Low COVID-19 case numbers and mortality rates were observed during the first wave and transition period in Cyprus, Iceland and Malta. The second wave saw a drastic increase in the number of confirmed cases and mortality rates, especially for Malta, with high CFR and YLLs. Similar restrictions and measures were evident across the three island countries. Results show that COVID-19 mortality was generally lower than mortality from NCDs. Conclusions: The study highlights that small geographical and population size, along with similar restrictive measures, did not appear to have an advantage against the spread and mortality rate of COVID-19, especially during the second wave. Population density, an ageing population and social behaviours may play a role in the burden of COVID-19. It is recommended that a country-specific syndemic approach is used to deal with the local COVID-19 spread based on the population’s characteristics, behaviours and the presence of other pre-existing epidemics.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/80066
Appears in Collections:Scholarly Works - FacM&SAna



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