Unequal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on excess deaths, life expectancy, and premature mortality across Spanish regions in 2020 and 2021

Spain is one of the most heavily affected countries by the Covid-19 pandemic. In this study, we estimated the regional inequalities in excess deaths and premature mortality in Spain. Between January 2020 and June 2021, an estimated 89,200 (men: 48,000; women: 41,200) excess deaths occurred in the 17 Spanish regions with a substantial variability (highest in Madrid: 22,000, lowest in Canary Islands: -210). Highest reductions in life expectancy at birth (e0) in 2020 were observed in Madrid (men: -3.48 years, women: -2.15), Castile La Mancha (men: -2.67, women: -2.30), and Castile and Leon (men: -2.00, women: -1.32). In the first six months of 2021, the highest reduction in e0 was observed in Valencian Community (men: -2.04, women: -1.63), Madrid (men: - 2.37), and Andalusia (men: -1.75; women: -1.43). In some Spanish regions, life expectancy at age 65 during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 was comparable to that observed as far back as 20 years ago.

Seasonal variation of blood pressure and related factors in Chinese adults: a survey of over 50 000 people in Suzhou, China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Seasonal variation in blood pressure had been observed in several studies on Western populations, but uncertainty remains about the strength of the relationship in other populations and the extent to which it was modified by other factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study was based on cross-sectional data from the China Kadoorie Biobank study with 53 260 men and women from the Suzhou area involved. Linear regression model was used to analyze the association of blood pressure with outdoor temperature-overall and in various subgroups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Blood pressure varied with the seasons, ascending in winter and descending in summer. The difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP) between summer and winter was 8.8 mm Hg in men and 7.0 mm Hg in women. SBP was inversely correlated with outdoor temperature, especially above 10°C, with every 10°C colder temperature causing 6.1 mm Hg increase of SBP. The seasonal variation in SBP was more obviously seen in older people and in those with lower body mass index.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Blood pressure was strongly and inversely associated with outdoor temperature in the population in Suzhou area. Seasonal variation of blood pressure should be considered when the hypertension screening programs, clinical management and data management on hypertensive patients.</p>