Influenza and Pneumonia Deaths

Why Is This Important?

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Illness from influenza viruses can be severe and can lead to complications such as pneumonia and death.^1^ Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs due to a variety of causes that can also be severe and lead to complications, including death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk for serious complications and death from influenza and pneumonia. In 2020, pneumonia and/or influenza was the 11th leading cause of death as underlying causes of death in New Mexico. It was the 6th leading cause for children (1-14 years) and the 10th leading cause for adults (65+ years).^2^ [[br]][[br]] ---- {{class .SmallerFont # Seasonal Influenza: The Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Downloaded from: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/ on 10/8/2013. # Query Results for Mortality Data, Years 1999 to 2020. Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. New Mexico Department of Health. Retrieved Wed, 20 April 2022 from the New Mexico Department of Health Indicator-Based Information System (NM-IBIS) for Public Health Web site: http://ibis.doh.nm.gov. }}

Definition

Deaths from influenza and pneumonia per 100,000 population, age-adjusted. Deaths from influenza and pneumonia include all deaths with an underlying cause with ICD10 codes J09-J18.

Data Sources

• New Mexico Death Data: Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics (BVRHS), Epidemiology and Response Division, New Mexico Department of Health.
  (https://www.nmhealth.org/about/erd/bvrhs/vrp/)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, CDC WONDER Online Database
  (http://wonder.cdc.gov)
• New Mexico Population Estimates: University of New Mexico, Geospatial and Population Studies (GPS) Program.
  (http://gps.unm.edu/)

How the Measure is Calculated

Evidence-based Practices

Yearly influenza vaccination is a proven way to prevent many individuals from getting the flu and to decrease the severity and complications from flu. It is recommended that everyone 6 months and older receive the vaccine. ^1^ Certain vaccines help prevent some types of pneumonia. Good hygiene practices can also help prevent respiratory infections such as influenza and pneumonia. Good hygiene for prevention of respiratory infections includes washing your hands regularly, cleaning hard surfaces that are touched often (like doorknobs and countertops), and coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow or sleeve. You can also reduce your risk of getting pneumonia by staying healthy (preventing chronic illnesses such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS) and limiting exposure to cigarette smoke. ^2^ [[br]][[br]] ---- {{class .SmallerFont # Preventing seasonal flu with Vaccination. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Downloaded from: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/index.htm on 10/8/2013. # Pneumonia Can Be Prevented: Vaccines Can Help. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Downloaded from: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pneumonia/ on 10/8/2013. }}

Other Objectives

New Mexico Community Health Status Indicator (CHSI)