Documentation sheet
Definition of indicator
Calculation (numerator, denominator)
Additional underlying concepts
Relevant dimensions (subgroups)
Preferred data sources
Rationale
Data availability, quality and periodicity
Work to do
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Drug-related deaths Drug-related deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The definition refers to those deaths that are caused directly by the consumption of drugs. These deaths occur generally shortly after the consumption of the substance(s). |
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Calculation (numerator, denominator)
ECHIM prefers the EMCDDA definition (1) |
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Additional underlying concepts The number of deaths is an extract ion of cases from existing General Mortality Registries according to the above mentioned criteria. This selection was agreed by the EMCDDA Expert Group on Drug-related deaths. It was called 'Selection B' for General Mortality Registries based on ICD-10. A selection of ICD-9 codes are also available for countries who haven’t yet implemented ICD-10. |
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Relevant dimensions (subgroups) Country (also region), calendar year, gender, age groups. |
Preferred data sources | |
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EMCDDA: based on national causes of death registries (if available). |
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Important group of preventable deaths. |
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Data availability, quality and periodicity EMCDDA has collected time series of data from European countries (since 1990). However, numbers from different countries are not directly comparable because differences remain in case definition and recording methods although in recent years it is considered that quality, validity and therefore comparability have increased considerably. National definitions usually refer to acute deaths directly related to drug consumption ("overdoses", "poisonings" or "druginduced"). In a few countries, the national “ad-hoc” definitions included figures include also a limited number of cases of deaths indirectly related to drug use (e.g. AIDS, accidents with positive toxicology). But this is no longer the case when the EMCDDA standard definition is used. EMCDDA data are broken down by sex, age groups, presence of opiates (yes/no). Available are absolute numbers only, no denominator. EMCDDA: 25 countries are able to meet the criteria (fully or closely) for EMCDDA standard definition (selection B or D). |
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- The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction,EMCDDA |
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Data Presentations
More indicator information will follow in due time. |
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What the indicator is meant to measure. If not unambiguous, all acceptable alternatives are to be listed in numbered preference order. The final decision on preference order/numbering is to be made by ECHIM coregroup.
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How to calculate the indicator (method, numerator, denominator, etc), in the same preference order as above if more than one alternative.
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Why the indicator is measured the chosen way (prevalence, incidence, mortality, absolute numbers etc.)? Also reasons for the preferred definition and calculation details can be included here.
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Should the indicator be stratified by e.g. age, gender, socio-economic status and area
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The type of data source; in the same preference order as above (typically either register data or HIS/HES).
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Why is this indicator important, from the public health point of view. (For example: size or dynamics of the problem/issue, evidence of the relevance of the issue in public health terms (for determinants) or evidence of intervention effectiveness (for prevention or care issues)).
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The recommended data source (e.g. Eurostat, OECD, WHO, national registers or HIS/HES, project databases etc.), in the same preference order as above; some notes on the quality and availability of the data for the indicator. Eventually, also information on the availability in coutries, as derived from the ECHIM survey.
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References to original publications, websites, EHIS-question/naire, PHP projects, etc.
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What should be done to improve and complete this sheet. Eventually, this cell should be blank.
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