Decomposing differences in acute myocardial infarction fatality in Italian regions

Abstract

The paper develops a general method for evaluating geographical differences in the outcome of acute myocardial infarction patients, by looking at the process of disease occurrence from infarction to hospitalization and possible death or recovery. The method is applied to regional data in Italy, where the long history of geographical diversities in economical, social and cultural fields is reflected in health care. Specific features of AMI, such as high fatality and fast course of the disease, make it a suitable tracer condition to investigate into the differences of regional health systems during the acute phase of hospitalization. The paper combines administrative and official statistics by region and offers a tool providing suggestions to policy-makers where further eventual investigations are needed around the care pathway and also what possible actions might be undertaken to improve the outcomes.

The Impact of Disasters on Populations With Health and Health Care Disparities

“…The reports of several studies that examined health care disparity issues have been published in Australia,808182838485868788 Europe,8990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108 Asia,109110111112113114115116117118119120 and South America,121122123124125126127128129130131132 However, health care disparities and unequal access to medical care within the context of disasters are very much underappreciated global issues. One reason may be that methods used to quantify health care disparities are scarce and inconsistent.…”

The measurement of relative efficiency of general practice and the implications for policy makers

“…Variation in health outcomes has been associated with intrinsic differences in the delivery of services and accessibility, rather than to adaptation of Regional policies to epidemiological patterns [18][19][20]. In fact, Regional inequalities also exist in healthcare expenditure and in the supply and utilization of services.…”

The region makes the difference: disparities in management of acute myocardial infarction within Switzerland

“…2 Management of AMI associates invasive revascularization interventions and drug therapies as recommended by international guidelines. 3,4 Still, significant and persistent geographical variation in AMI management and outcome between [5][6][7] and within 8,9 countries exist. 10 Switzerland is characterized by a low AMI mortality.…”