{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Spatial Variation in Excess Mortality Across Europe: A Cross-Sectional Study of 561 Regions in 21 Countries.
{Author}: Bonnet F;Grigoriev P;Sauerberg M;Alliger I;Mühlichen M;Camarda CG;
{Journal}: J Epidemiol Glob Health
{Volume}: 14
{Issue}: 2
{Year}: 2024 Jun 20
{Factor}: 5.959
{DOI}: 10.1007/s44197-024-00200-0
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To measure the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 at the subnational level by estimating excess mortality, defined as the increase in all-cause mortality relative to an expected baseline mortality level.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Statistical and demographic analyses of regional all-cause mortality data provided by the vital statistics systems of 21 European countries for 561 regions in Central and Western Europe. Life expectancy losses at ages 0 and 60 for males and females were estimated.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>We found evidence of a loss in life expectancy in 391 regions, whilst only three regions exhibit notable gains in life expectancy in 2020. For 12 regions, losses of life expectancy amounted to more than 2 years and three regions showed losses greater than 3 years. We highlight geographical clusters of high mortality in Northern Italy, Spain and Poland, whilst clusters of low mortality were found in Western France, Germany/Denmark and Norway/Sweden.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Regional differences of loss of life expectancy are impressive, ranging from a loss of more than 4 years to a gain of 8 months. These findings provide a strong rationale for regional analysis, as national estimates hide significant regional disparities.