Common Pitfalls in the Interpretation of COVID-19 Data and Statistics

Common Pitfalls in the Interpretation of COVID-19 Data and Statistics

by Andreas Backhaus, German Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB)
Andreas Backhaus of the German Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) summarises six potential pitfalls that can arise in the interpretation of coronavirus data. These pitfalls have the potential to mislead the public debate and thereby the course of future policy actions.

<p>Andreas Backhaus of the German Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) summarises six potential pitfalls that can arise in the interpretation of coronavirus data. These pitfalls have the potential to mislead the public debate and thereby the course of future policy actions.</p>

Books and Reports: Demography on the European Agenda: Strategies for Tackling Demographic Decline

Demography on the European Agenda: Strategies for Tackling Demographic Decline

Read the full report here
Demography matters. The economy, labour market, healthcare, pensions, regional development, and election results – all are driven by demography. EU Member States have their own strategies and policies in order to counteract demographic decline. The EU also has an auxiliary role when it comes to tackling demographic challenges. Nevertheless, the EU has limited legal powers when it comes to dealing with issues that are related to demography.

Demography matters. The economy, labour market, healthcare, pensions, regional development, and election results – all are driven by demography. EU Member States have their own strategies and policies in order to counteract demographic decline. The EU also has an auxiliary role when it comes to tackling demographic challenges. Nevertheless, the EU has limited legal powers when it comes to dealing with issues that are related to demography.

Democracy and Demography: It is time to invest in children

Democracy and Demography: It is time to invest in children

by Francesco Billari, Bocconi University
Francesco Billari of Bocconi University argues that the European Union must use COVID-19 crisis exit funds to prioritise investment in children and the institutions that shape them, their schools and families. These funds would be, if well-orchestrated, a social investment: Improving the life chances of children would diminish inequalities in the long term, and at the same time it would increase human capital, leading to economic growth in the long run.

<p>Francesco Billari of Bocconi University argues that the European Union must use COVID-19 crisis exit funds to prioritise investment in children and the institutions that shape them, their schools and families. These funds would be, if well-orchestrated, a social investment: Improving the life chances of children would diminish inequalities in the long term, and at the same time it would increase human capital, leading to economic growth in the long run.</p>

Event: Webinar: COVID-19 and Border Closures: How are Vulnerable Migrants Affected?

Webinar: COVID-19 and Border Closures: How are Vulnerable Migrants Affected?

Mon Jun 29
As the COVID-19 epidemic has spread across Europe and beyond, border closures are deeply affecting migrants. During this webinar, migration scholars will take stock of legal and policy measures adopted in the EU and Canada, discuss how these measures have impacted vulnerable migrants and examine some of the solutions that have been set in motion.

As the COVID-19 epidemic has spread across Europe and beyond, border closures are deeply affecting migrants. During this webinar, migration scholars will take stock of legal and policy measures adopted in the EU and Canada, discuss how these measures have impacted vulnerable migrants and examine some of the solutions that have been set in motion.

 

COVID-19, pandemic, coronavirus

Demography and the Coronavirus Pandemic

Download Population and Policy Brief 25/2020 (1.65 MB)
In light of the COVID-19 crisis, one of the most urgent policy issues is to gain a better understanding of the extent and ways in which demographics have determined different patterns of mortality in European countries due to the virus, and whether and how the pandemic and its economic consequences will affect population dynamics in the future. European demographers have been intensively working on these questions since the pandemic began. This policy brief offers an overview of the most important crisis outcomes identified by the demographic community in Europe to date, and points towards the pivotal trends that need to be tackled in the coming months.

In light of the COVID-19 crisis, one of the most urgent policy issues is to gain a better understanding of the extent and ways in which demographics have determined different patterns of mortality in European countries due to the virus, and whether and how the pandemic and its economic consequences will affect population dynamics in the future. European demographers have been intensively working on these questions since the pandemic began. This policy brief offers an overview of the most important crisis outcomes identified by the demographic community in Europe to date, and points towards the pivotal trends that need to be tackled in the coming months.

Books and Reports: Implications of COVID-19 for Older Persons: Responding to the Pandemic

Implications of COVID-19 for Older Persons: Responding to the Pandemic

Read the full report here
This technical brief highlights relevant initiatives underway in UNFPA offices worldwide to respond to the rights and needs of older persons in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This technical brief highlights relevant initiatives underway in UNFPA offices worldwide to respond to the rights and needs of older persons in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: How can we explain differences in mortality?

COVID-19: How can we explain differences in mortality?

by Alberto Palloni (CSIC) & Stephan Walter (Rey Juan Carlos University)
Palloni & Walter explore possible causes of differences in fatality rates due to COVID-19 by gender, country, and region. These explanations include comparability of statistics and accounting of cases; variance in resources and capacity to cope with the pandemic; population health composition; and most notably, biology and epigenetics.

<p>Palloni & Walter explore possible causes of differences in fatality rates due to COVID-19 by gender, country, and region. These explanations include comparability of statistics and accounting of cases; variance in resources and capacity to cope with the pandemic; population health composition; and most notably, biology and epigenetics.</p>

Person: Palloni
Palloni
Alberto
Ageing and Life Expectancy
Health
Projections and Forecasts
Ined Logo

INED Creates a Website for International Data on the Demography of Deaths Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The French Institute for Demographic Studies (INED) is working to provide free access to data organized by sex, age group, and place of COVID-19-related deaths. The data are centralized, analysed, and provided on a dedicated website.

Since the pandemic began, many countries have provided daily counts of COVID-19-related deaths. To go further, in accordance with its missions to disseminate demographic knowledge, INED’s scientific community is working to provide free access to data organized by sex, age group, and place of COVID-19-related deaths. For now, these data concern Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, but other countries should be analysed in the coming weeks.

Mental Health in Adolescence and Its Role in Family Formation

Mental Health in Adolescence and Its Role in Family Formation

Understanding factors contributing to increased childlessness among men
Miriam Evensen (Norwegian Institute of Public Health) and Torkild Lyngstad (University of Oslo) used population-based data from Norway and found that adolescent males with externalising disorders - such as anxiety and depression - have a lower chance of becoming a parent by age 30 than other men.

Miriam Evensen (Norwegian Institute of Public Health) and Torkild Lyngstad (University of Oslo) used population-based data from Norway and found that adolescent males with externalising disorders - such as anxiety and depression - have a lower chance of becoming a parent by age 30 than other men.

Subscribe to Health