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Risk of Serious Flu Complications in the Elderly

Risk of Serious Flu Complications in the Elderly

by | Sep 19, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

Flu shot mature adult
Elderly populations, aged 65 and older, are at risk for developing serious flu complications when compared with healthy, young adults. Adults older than 65, adults with chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and children younger than 5 are at an increased risk in serious complications related to the flu. An estimated 70 or 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths were those aged 65 and older, and 50 to 70 percent of hospitalizations due to seasonal flu were for those over 65. Flu vaccination for the elderly population is not only important, but those in that age group should get an increased dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine.

Elderly populations can suffer from serious complications from the flu. A proactive solution is with a flu vaccine. It is important to receive annual vaccinations due to changing flu viruses as well as immunity waning over time. Not only is following general guidelines important, but for the elderly, receiving a higher dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine, a potentially more effective option according to existing studies, is recommended for elderly populations. Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent, or Fluad Quadrivalent are some of the vaccine options available.

Serious complications that can occur from the flu include:
  • Pneumonia
  • Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis)
  • Brain failure (encephalitis) 
  • Muscle tissues failure (myositis, rhabdomyolysis)
  • Multi-organ failure (e.g., respiratory and kidney failure)
  • Sepsis
  • Complications with existing, chronic medical conditions such as asthma.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

by | Sep 15, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

Sickle Cell Awareness Month

The most commonly inherited blood disorder continues to have difficulties in high quality treatment options for adults living with the disease. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), an intensely painful blood disorder caused by red blood cells having an abnormal, sickle shape, affects over 100,000 United States citizens of all ethnicities but disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic populations, occurring, alarmingly, in 1 in every 365 Black or African American births and 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic births.

Signs and Symptoms

SCD causes the body to create abnormally shaped red blood cells in the form of a “C” or sickle. These cells disrupt the normal flow of red blood cells in blood vessels, causing extreme, acute, and chronic pain episodes and failing to transfer oxygen to body tissues. Signs and symptoms of the disease include:

  • Pain Episodes or Crisis
  • Hand-Foot Syndrome
  • Acute Chest Syndrome
  • Infection
  • Eye Disease
  • Stroke

SCD can affect any ethnic group, but Black and Hispanic populations in the US are most heavily affected by the disease. An estimated 1 in every 13 black and African American births suffer from Sickle Cell Trait, abetting it in being the most commonly inherited disease.

Due to SCD having varying treatment options, only 25% of patients receive a standard of care recommended by current guidelines. Studies indicate patients of SCD, compared to other patients, do not receive adequate treatment for pain, or in appropriate doses.

September is National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month – a great opportunity to spread awareness of the disease, its insufficient treatments, and minority communities being affected in much higher numbers.

Additional resources, including a new video on SCD by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health, are available:

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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CDC Releases Updated Monkeypox Vaccine Information Statement

CDC Releases Updated Monkeypox Vaccine Information Statement

by | Aug 26, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

MonkeyPox Stacked Pages

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an updated Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) for smallpox/monkeypox. Monkeypox is an emerging infection currently spreading around the world, including in the United States. While monkeypox tends to be milder than smallpox, it can cause death.

The VIS answers the question, “Why get vaccinated for smallpox/monkeypox?” The updated document also explains how the vaccine works, the recommended vaccine schedule, and CDC’s recommendations for who should be vaccinated—especially laboratory workers, emergency response team members, and those who care for patients who could be infected with the viruses.

The updated VIS should be used by providers immediately, though it is acceptable to continue using the previous edition until stocks are exhausted.

You can access the updated VIS on the CDC website.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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Econometrica Develops CDBG Toolkit for HUD

Econometrica Develops CDBG Toolkit for HUD

by | Aug 22, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

CDBG Income Survey Guidebook Cover

Econometrica has developed a complete toolkit that enables communities to conduct a local income survey that meets the guidelines developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for allocating Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. CDBG funds can be used to improve local infrastructure and meet other community needs, and some communities are required to demonstrate that the residents of the service area for CDBG activity meet low- to moderate-income (LMI) requirements. They can use the American Community Survey income data or conduct their own income survey.

The CDBG Income Survey Toolkit includes the following resources and tools:

  1. A 40+ page guidebook that includes detailed, step-by-step instructions for the entire survey process.
  2. Ready-to-use survey instruments for both in-person and mailed surveys, including both English and Spanish versions.
  3. Detailed user guides for each of the survey instrument options.
  4. Outreach materials, such as customizable flyers, letters, and more.
  5. Pre-programmed Excel tools to analyze the data, with easy-to-follow instructions.
  6. Case management documents to track attempts to survey each address.

Econometrica’s staff combined their expertise in Federal housing programs, data analytics, software application programming, and project management to develop the complete toolkit for HUD and communities across the country.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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Overweight and Obesity

Overweight and Obesity

by | Aug 16, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

Overweight and Obesity

Obesity plays a significant role in health and healthcare, with studies showing that obesity increases a person’s chances of chronic disease, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Studies have also shown that African American men and women have the highest rates of obesity among U.S. racial/ethnic groups.

When taking a holistic view of health equity, though, it is important to look at the root causes of an issue, as well as the fruits that are produced. For example, African Americans often have less access to healthy food than their counterparts in other racial/ethnic groups. In particular, neighborhoods that are considered “food deserts,” or areas with little to no healthy food options, are disproportionately likely to have large African American and Hispanic populations.

From a health equity standpoint, therefore, addressing obesity and its health risks requires that we also address issues like food access by providing Black and Hispanic communities with affordable, accessible, and healthy food options. Because advancing health equity is not just a matter of treating the “sickness,” but also treating the underlying factors that produced it.

To learn more, visit the following resource:

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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