Promoting Awareness of Data Confidentiality and Security During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Low-Income Country-Sierra Leone.

Objectives: World Health Organization issued Joint Statement on Data Protection and Privacy in the COVID-19 Response stating that collection of vast amounts of personal data may potentially lead to the infringement of fundamental human rights and freedoms. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development called on national governments to adhere to the international principles for data security and confidentiality. This paper describes the methods used to assist the Ministry of Health in bringing awareness of the data ownership, confidentiality and security principles to COVID-19 responders.

Hysterectomy Among Women Age 18 and Older: United States, 2021.

Hysterectomy is one of the most common procedures for women in the United States (1,2). Hysterectomy removes the uterus and is used to treat conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and gynecological cancer (3). It can be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis (4,5).

Patterns of Mammography, Pap Smear, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Services Among Women Aged 45 and Over.

Background-Regular screening tests can lead to early detection of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, when treatment is likely to be more effective. This study examines and compares sociodemographic, health status, and health behavior patterns of screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer among women aged 45 and over in the United States. Methods-This study is based on data from the 2015 and 2018 National Health Interview Surveys.

Hospitalization, Readmission, and Death Experience of Noninstitutionalized Medicare Fee-for-service Beneficiaries Aged 65 and Over.

Objective: This report provides descriptive measures of hospitalization, readmission, and death among the noninstitutionalized population aged 65 and over using data from a national survey of the noninstitutionalized population linked to Medicare data and the National Death Index. The estimates are presented by self-reported demographic, socioeconomic, heath status, and other characteristics gathered during the interview with the survey participants.

Methods: Data are from the 2000–2005 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) linked to 2000–2006 Medicare data and the National Center for Health Statistics 2011 Linked Mortality Files.

A plan for community event-based surveillance to reduce Ebola transmission - Sierra Leone, 2014-2015.

Ebola virus disease (Ebola) was first detected in Sierra Leone in May 2014 and was likely introduced into the eastern part of the country from Guinea. The disease spread westward, eventually affecting Freetown, Sierra Leone's densely populated capital. By December 2014, Sierra Leone had more Ebola cases than Guinea and Liberia, the other two West African countries that have experienced widespread transmission.

Prevalence of incontinence among older americans.

Objective - This report presents national estimates of incontinence prevalence in the United States using data source-specific definitions of incontinence among persons aged 65 and over by sociodemographic characteristics during 2007-2010. Methods - Data are from the 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities (NSRCF), the 2007 National Home and Hospice Care Survey (NHHCS), and the 2009 Long Term Care Minimum Data Set (MDS). Findings are based on in-home interviews with 2,625 noninstitutionalized respondents (NHANES) and reports provided by designated facility or agency staff members for 6,856 residential care facility (RCF) residents (NSRCF), 3,226 current home health care patients (NHHCS), 3,918 hospice discharges (NHHCS), and 2,416,705 nursing home residents (MDS).

A longitudinal view of child enrollment in Medicaid.

Background: Although national cross-sectional estimates of the percentage of children enrolled in Medicaid are available, the percentage of children enrolled in Medicaid over longer periods of time is unknown. Also, the percentage and characteristics of children who rely on Medicaid throughout childhood, rather than transiently, are unknown.

Methods: We performed a longitudinal examination of Medicaid coverage among children across a 5-year period.

Comparability between the rates for all-listed inpatient procedures using National Hospital Discharge Survey and Medicare claims, 1999 and 2007.

Objectives: This report examines the comparability between the rates of inpatient procedures for persons aged 65 and over using the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) and Medicare claims data.

Methods: The estimates in this report are based on data from NHDS and Medicare claims submitted by hospital providers for inpatient stays among Part A fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and over. The discharge rates, selected procedures rates, and comparability ratios are reported for older men and women, by age and sex, for 1999 and 2007.

Identifying chronic conditions in Medicare claims data: evaluating the Chronic Condition Data Warehouse algorithm.

Objective: To examine the strengths and limitations of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Chronic Condition Data Warehouse (CCW) algorithm for identifying chronic conditions in older persons from Medicare beneficiary data.

Data Sources: Records from participants of the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (NHEFS 1971-1992) linked to Medicare claims data from 1991 to 2000.

Study Design: We estimated the percent of preexisting cases of chronic conditions correctly identified by the CCW algorithm during its reference period and the number of years of claims data necessary to find a preexisting condition.

Trends in health status and health care use among older men.

Objectives: This report examines trends in health status and risk factors, health care utilization, and health care expenditures among older men in the United States.

Methods: The estimates in this report are based on data from the National Vital Statistics System, National Health Interview Survey, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, National Health Care Surveys, Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, and Current Population Survey. Trends in death rates, prevalence of chronic conditions, risk factors, vaccinations, health care utilization, and expenditures are summarized.

Trends in the health of older Americans, 1970-2005.

The health of Americans age sixty-five and older has improved on nearly all major indicators: longevity, self-reported health, and functioning. Both health care services use and health spending have risen. The increased use of restorative procedures and prescription medicines suggests that medical advances have had an important role in the better health of older Americans.