Journal of epidemiology and community health
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Mar 2014
Use of administrative medical databases in population-based research.
Administrative medical databases are massive repositories of data collected in healthcare for various purposes. Such databases are maintained in hospitals, health maintenance organisations and health insurance organisations. Administrative databases may contain medical claims for reimbursement, records of health services, medical procedures, prescriptions, and diagnoses information. ⋯ Nonetheless, administrative databases may be used as a robust research tool. In this article, we address the subject of public health research that employs administrative data. We discuss the biases and the limitations of such research, as well as other important epidemiological and biostatistical key points specific to administrative database studies.
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Mar 2014
Has health in Spain been declining since the economic crisis?
The economic recession starting in 2008 may be having negative effects on health. ⋯ Health in Spain has continued to improve during the first four years of the economic recession at a rate equal to or higher than in previous years.
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Mar 2014
Suicide rates among working-age adults in South Korea before and after the 2008 economic crisis.
Multiple studies have shown that macroeconomic factors are associated with changes in suicide rates. We investigated how changes in economic conditions associated with the recent economic crisis in South Korea influenced suicide rates among working-age adults. ⋯ Changes in macroeconomic conditions are tied to population-level suicide risks for employed and unemployed persons. However, these associations vary depending on sex, employment status and occupational roles. In advance of future economic crises, it is important to develop prevention initiatives intended to reach the diverse populations potentially exposed to the adverse effects of sudden economic disruptions.