Mortalitatea prematură în pandemia COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on mortality and led to a significant decrease in life expectancy at birth all around the world. The actual data demonstrate that not just the old population, but the young and adult population is also at risk of death due to COVID-19. The aim of this study is to analyse the level of premature mortality in observed COVID-19 deaths in the Republic of Moldova. The actuality of this study lies in the need to highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the young and adult population, which at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was not considered a high-risk group. The analysis is based on official data on the number of deaths due to COVID-19 presented on the official page of the Ministry of Health. The analysis used the share of premature deaths in total deaths due to COVID-19 and the relative indicator PYLL (Potential Years of Life Lost). The analysis demonstrates that half of all registered deaths due to COVID-19 could be considered premature. Also, was not observed the typical gender gap in aspects of premature mortality. The most affected population is adults and “younger elders”. Further and deeper analysis is required in order to serve as a base for efficient politics and intervention tools. The article was elaborated within the State Program Project (2020-2023) 20.80009.0807.21 „Migration, demographic changes, and situation stabilization policies”.