EuroMOMO Bulletin, Week 45, 2021

EuroMOMO pooled estimates show low levels of excess mortality

This week’s overall pooled EuroMOMO estimates of all-cause mortality for the participating European countries show a lasting low level of excess mortality. This week’s excess mortality is in line with the observed pattern of continued excess mortality at low level in the European pooled estimates over the past months, which is seen in all age groups above 15 years. Ukraine is experiencing a very high increase in excess mortality, of which they have reported seeing a high number of COVID-19 related deaths.

Data from 25 European countries or subnational regions were included in this week’s pooled analysis of all-cause mortality.

Explanatory note on EuroMOMO’s role in the analysis of underlying causes of excess mortality

As EuroMOMO collects data on all-cause mortality only, but no information on specific causes of death or data on other factors that may be associated with certain mortality signals, EuroMOMO’s output do not allow to draw conclusions about underlying causes of changing patterns of mortality. However, in the current context of COVID-19, changing mortality patterns may expected following the extensive societal restrictions and hygiene measures that have been in place intermittently in different countries during 2020/21.

Note about the presentation of data from Germany

National data representing all of Germany are part of the pooled EuroMOMO analysis. Data from the subnational regions of Berlin and Hesse are also provided and will be shown separately with their z-scores graphs, in addition to national-level data from Germany, but they are not included in the pooled analysis.

Note about the presentation of data from Ukraine

National data representing Ukraine are provided weekly to EuroMOMO, however, only data for all ages, but not for the standard age groups presented by EuroMOMO. Therefore, data from Ukraine cannot be included in the European pooled analysis, but will be shown with their z-score graph for all ages. Work is ongoing to provide the weekly data by age group as well.

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Note on interpretation of data: The number of deaths shown for the three most recent weeks should be interpreted with caution, as adjustments for delayed registrations may be imprecise. Furthermore, results of pooled analyses may vary depending on countries included in the weekly analyses. Pooled analyses are adjusted for variation between the included countries and for differences in the local delay in reporting

About EuroMOMO network data sharing and collaboration

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, information on its mortality impact is of major concern. The EuroMOMO network hub receives many questions about the weekly mortality data we present, as well as requests to share the underlying national data. While the network fully supports data sharing, the network hub is not mandated by the participating countries to release any national data. If you are interested in accessing national data, please approach countries individually.

The EuroMOMO network welcomes collaboration with external partners, e.g. about additional analyses and modelling to be performed. If you are interested in engaging with the network about any such collaboration, please forward your ideas to the hub, for wider sharing and dialogue with the network.

Kindly note that any use of data or information originating from the EuroMOMO website must be appropriately quoted and acknowledged.