Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Total and Cause-Specific Mortality in Pavia, Northern Italy.

The COVID-19 pandemic had an unfavorable impact on overall mortality in Italy, with the strongest consequences in northern Italy. Scant data are available on cause-specific mortality. This study aims at investigating the impact of the pandemic on the overall and cause-specific mortality in one province in northern Italy, Pavia. We linked individual-level administrative data (i.e., death certification and population data) from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in Pavia province between 2015 and 2020. We computed age-standardized mortality rates (Italian population 2011) by cause, sex, and calendar year, and computed the rate ratio and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals to compare rates in 2020 versus 2015-2019. The 2020 excess total mortality in Pavia was 24% in men and 25% in women, reaching rates of 1272.6/100,000 and 1304.4/100,000, respectively. Significant excesses were found for infectious and parasitic diseases, excluding COVID-19 (about +30% in both sexes); respiratory system diseases (44% in men; 30% in women); and dementia and Alzheimer's disease among men (24%). Reductions were reported for neoplasms (-14% in men); cerebrovascular diseases (-25% in men); and ischemic diseases (-13% in women), but also for transport accidents in men. COVID-19 was the third cause of death in both sexes with rates of 274.9/100,000 men (859 total deaths) and 213.9/100,000 women (758 total deaths). Excess mortality in Pavia was higher than Italy but lower than Lombardy. Increases in mortality from causes related to infectious and respiratory diseases can likely be explained by underdiagnosed deaths from COVID-19.

Age-specific SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality ratio and associated risk factors, Italy, February to April 2020.

We analysed 5,484 close contacts of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Italy, all tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Infection fatality ratio was 0.43% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21-0.79) for individuals younger than 70 years and 10.5% (95% CI: 8.0-13.6) for older individuals. Risk of death after infection was 62% lower (95% CI: 31-80) in clusters identified after 16 March 2020 and 1.8-fold higher for males (95% CI: 1.03-3.16).

Design and hygiene issues in sports facilities. A pilot study which investigates fitness centres by using a multidisciplinary tool.

INTRODUCTION: Awareness of the benefits of the physical activity on health by the general public has increased the number of people who is practicing it in the recent years. The gyms are the primary place - as the main indoor environment - for practicing physical activity. METHODS: A multidisciplinary tool was used primarily to investigate and analyse the general aspects of fitness centres then an assessment tool was created to evaluate a specific aspect such as the location, dimension, maintenance, etc. from the design, hygiene and safety points of view. Each section of the tool consisted of a series of questionnaires where the facility managers and the researches must have answered. DISCUSSION: The tool was tested on various cases by analysing the critical issues which affects the quality of spaces and end users' health. CONCLUSIONS: The critical points observed from the tool that has an impact on the design of the gyms will help to shape future of these facilities. Several design and management strategies were also highlighted to improve the hygiene and health issues of fitness centres.

Why do people renounce dental health care? An analysis of data from the Italian population.

OBJECTIVES: Oral diseases affect a large number of people in the world and have a great influence on their quality of life. Nevertheless, oral health promotion and prevention initiatives are lacking. The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of individuals in Italy who renounce dental care in order to better support institutional prevention campaigns. METHODS: Using data from the Italian National Institute of Statistic (ISTAT) survey "Health condition and use of health services", we divided the sample into two groups: individuals who renounced dental care even when needed and those who accessed dental healthcare. We then compared information about socio-economic and oral health profile of the two groups. RESULTS: People who renounced dental treatments are mostly young adults, smokers, belonging to the middle-low socioeconomic level, not married and unemployed. Economic resources are often the main reason behind renouncing dental treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Our study underlines that economic conditions play a leading role in renouncing dental care. In order to avoid additional costs to the Italian healthcare system, our proposal is to implement a specific prevention campaign for oral diseases, targeting young adults living in Italy.