Burden from Infectious Diseases Increasing in New Zealand

ID-related hospitalization rates have risen since 1989; the largest increase was noted in the poorest populations.

Overall, the burden from noncommunicable diseases now exceeds that from infectious diseases (IDs) in developed countries. In New Zealand, where rates of several IDs are unusually high, investigators carried out a national epidemiological study of all overnight hospital stays from 1989 through 2008 to assess trends and differences by ethnic group and socioeconomic status.

Between 1989–1993 and 2004–2008, the age-standardized rate of ID-related admissions increased by 51%, whereas the rate of the noninfectious disease–related admissions rose by 7%. During this period, the proportion of hospital admissions related to IDs increased from 21% to 27%. The greatest increase in ID-related admissions was observed in ethnic minorities — Maori and Pacif…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine