Small area estimation: an empirical comparison of conventional and synthetic estimators for states.
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Data Collection↗
Biomedical subjects
D B Brock
Publications and source records attributed to D B Brock.
An analysis of physician visit data from a complex sample survey.
A generalization of ordinary least squares methods is used in the analysis of physician visit data from a complex sample survey. The emphasis, in this paper, is on the valid substantive inferences to be drawn from an analysis of this type of data. The procedure is found to be useful in two ways. First, the resultion on a national basis. It is concluded that age is an imp-s of a comparative sampling study are reported. Second, the procedure is used to remove statistically non-significant variation from the data in order to generate fitted or smoothed estimates on which the substantive analyst may focus his attention. These fitted values are then examined for implications to physician service utilization on a national basis. It is concluded that age is an important variable while the effect of sex and race depends on age. Similarly, residence and income are important but the effect of education depends on the level of income.
Adolescent↗
Comparative aspects of the quality of life in cancer patients.
Chronologically, neoplastic diseases can be divided into two categories of which the first includes the fast and aggressive disease groups which exhibit a short course after the diagnosis has been established and the second those with dormancy or a slow path of which the development extends over years, even decades. The developed treatment modalities have even expanded the time duration of both groups, and thus cancer has become a group of chronic diseases in many cases. This requires a special adaptation in regard to the life style and quality of the cancer patient. The assessment of the quality of life in the cancer patient has been evaluated through questionnaire to relatives and friends as well as through social experience with cancer patients. The diversity of the disease group is reflected in the need for a more heterogeneous improvement of life style and its quality according to the need of the patient groups. A distinction can be made between acute and chronically ill pediatric patients, the cancer patient who is able to continue his work, the outpatient not requiring hospitalization, the patient with the need for hospital care (for a shorter or longer Period), the hospice patient, the elderly patient, and the terminally ill patient as well as the patient in the last days of life. In a study of 1,227 elderly decedents in Fairfield County, Connecticut, for which 260 respondents reported cancer as the cause of death, approximately 1/5 were reported to have been in moderate or severe pain six hours before death, with little change from the previous month.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Age Factors↗
A comparison of elderly participants in a community survey with nonparticipants.
In 1982-83, 4,485 persons ages 65 or older were identified by a household census in East Boston, MA: 3,812 (85 percent) of them responded to a health and social status questionnaire. Data on age, sex, and living arrangements for the 4,485 eligible people were analyzed with respect to final participation status and reason for refusal or reluctance. The health and social status of reluctant and ready self-respondents were compared, and respondents-by-proxy were compared with self-respondents. Total participation rates were similar for both sexes and all ages, but the likelihood of interview by proxy increased with age, as did the likelihood of nonparticipation due to unavailability. Living alone or with other participants favored participation, and living with refusers or other nonrespondents increased the probability of refusal. While reluctant and ready self-respondents differed in only one health variable and two social variables, respondents-by-proxy differed from self-respondents in most variables tested. These analyses suggest an absence of major differences between self-respondents and refusers. Therefore, nonresponse bias is not likely to have a major impact on interpretation of the data obtained from participants in this study.
Aged↗
Prevalence and correlates of dementia: survey of the last days of life.
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and correlates of dementia at death and to assess the usefulness of death certificate data in the reporting of dementia. METHODS: The authors analyzed next-of-kin interviews for 599 male and 628 female decedents using data from the National Institute on Aging's Survey of the Last Days of Life. RESULTS: Death certificate data in this population show the prevalence of dementia to be less than 1%, consistent with previous reports based on death certificates but a substantial underestimate compared to the 11.9% reported in a national survey. Using a dementia index based on the informant's report of whether the decedent had been diagnosed with a dementing illness and the extent of her or his cognitive and functional limitations, this study found a prevalence of dementia of 8.5%. A high score on the dementia index was significantly associated with older age, Parkinson's disease, and incontinence. Lower relative odds for dementia at death were found for people with either a lifetime history or a death certificate report of cancer. Similarly, people with a lifetime history of coronary heart disease were found to have lower relative odds for dementia at death. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that informant interviews may be a useful source of data to examine factors associated with dementia and to estimate the prevalence of dementia in the last year of life.
Age Distribution↗