Burden of Mesothelioma Deaths by National Income Category: Current Status and Future Implications

Odgerel Chimed-Ochir, Diana Arachi, Tim Driscoll, Ro-Ting Lin, Jukka Takala and Ken Takahashi
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Odgerel Chimed-Ochir: Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu City 807-8555, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
Diana Arachi: Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, Gate 3 Hospital Road, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia
Tim Driscoll: Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, Gate 3 Hospital Road, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia
Ro-Ting Lin: Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, Gate 3 Hospital Road, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia
Jukka Takala: International Commission on Occupational Health, ICOH/INAIL Research Area, Via Fontana Candida, 1-00078 Monteporzio Catone (Rome), Italy
Ken Takahashi: Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, Gate 3 Hospital Road, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-13

Abstract: Background: This study compares estimates of the global-level mesothelioma burden with a focus on how existing national mortality data were utilized and further assesses the interrelationship of country-level mesothelioma burden and asbestos use with national income status. Methods: Country-level mesothelioma deaths in the WHO Mortality Database as of December 2019 were analyzed by national income category of countries in terms of data availability and reliability. Numbers of mesothelioma deaths from the study of Odgerel et al. were reanalyzed to assess country-level mesothelioma death burdens by national income status. Results: Among 80 high-income countries, 54 (68%) reported mesothelioma to the WHO and 26 (32%) did not, and among 60 upper middle-income countries, the respective numbers (proportions) were 39 (65%) countries and 21 (35%) countries, respectively. In contrast, among 78 low- and lower middle-income countries, only 11 (14%) reported mesothelioma deaths while 67 (86%) did not. Of the mesothelioma deaths, 29,854 (78%) were attributed to high- and upper middle-income countries, and 8534 (22%) were attributed to low- and lower middle- income countries. Conclusions: The global mesothelioma burden, based on reported numbers, is currently shouldered predominantly by high-income countries; however, mesothelioma burdens will likely manifest soon in upper middle-income and eventually in low and lower middle-income countries.

Keywords: mesothelioma; asbestos; deaths; burden of disease; global health; estimation; developing countries; national income (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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