We hope you will once again vote Coastal Pediatrics best Pediatricians 4 years in a row! www.vcstar.com/readerschoice
Ben Pecht
February 20, 2018 at 2:10 PM ·
We hope you will once again vote Coastal Pediatrics best Pediatricians 4 years in a row! www.vcstar.com/readerschoice
Get your flu vaccine now!
Listen to experts not FB friends posting nonsense
Your local epidemiologist is sharing a COVID-19 Update.
August 31 at 12:56 AM ·
There have been rumors, and tweets, and screenshots, and who knows what else stating that only 6% of CDC’s COVID19 death count is due to COVID19.
Thought I would clear the air from an epidemiological point of view. Here we go....
What happened?
• CDC updated its regular statistics page stating: "For 6% of the deaths, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned." For the other 94% of people that died of COVID19, "individuals had an average of 2.6 additional conditions or causes per death".
What does this change?
• NOTHING. 182,885 people have still died from COVID19 in the US. COVID19 is still the third leading cause of death in the US.
What does the science say?
1. The CDC (and basically every scientist across the world) has consistently stated that individuals with underlying health conditions are more likely to die from COVID19. This is probably one of the first facts that we DID know. We shouldn’t be surprised of this “low” 6%
2. Long-term conditions (like obesity, diabetes, or heart disease) are “chronic” because they last for a long time. Most are, in fact, manageable thanks to modern science. Someone with diabetes (that wasn’t “supposed” to die this year) can manage to get infected with COVID19 and die quickly because their immune systems get overwhelmed.
3. The health of our nation has been terrible, even before the pandemic. 60% of adults have a chronic condition. Among those aged 65 and over, 80% have multiple chronic conditions. Minorities and low-income populations have more chronic conditions too. So, if you take a random sample of people who die, the majority will have at least one chronic condition.
4. There are many lines on a death certificate. This includes the “immediate cause of death”, “sequentially conditions leading to the cause of death”, and “other significant conditions contributing to death”. Which ties to #3…it would be odd if a chronic condition WASN’T listed on a death certificate in the US given the health of our nation overall and given COVID19 touches every organ system. Death certificate instructions are below if you’re curious how this data is collected.
5. If there is nothing else, just look at an excess death graph for 2020 (see Figure). We are WAY above our deaths this year compared to past years. Period. This doesn't just randomly coincide with a pandemic.
In epidemiology (and science), it’s very weird for us to beat a dead horse. We typically accept the conclusions of a room full of scientists with decades of experience until another room of scientists with decades of experience proves them wrong. We don't change our mind from a tweet that is taken out of context (no matter who it's from). The public should follow suit.
I guess I should just be happy that everyone (and I mean everyone) now pays attention to public health.
Love, YLE
CDC link to deaths causing the commotion: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm
Chronic conditions and of COVID19 death: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-increased-risk.html ;
Chronic conditions, overall, in the US: http://www.fightchronicdisease.org/sites/default/files/TL221_final.pdf; https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/chronic-diseases.htm
Death certificate instructions: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/blue_form.pdf
Excess Deaths posts: https://yourlocalepidemiologist.com/excess-deaths/;
COVID19 as a leading cause of death: https://yourlocalepidemiologist.com/leading-causes-of-death/
Image from: Weinberger lab, updated on August 14, 2020
NYTIMES.COM
Opinion | Just Because You Test Positive for Antibodies Doesn’t Mean You Have Them
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly encourages continued routine physicals and immunizations for children. Please schedule your child’s routine physicals and immunizations to keep them healthy!
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/23/health/coronavirus-measles-vaccines.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage&fbclid=IwAR3n1mn7YbIPp15bRBK7mGUOn5hYhs_ACtsPmC2WB-S1nuooCVJi7Bi2Nwo
NYTIMES.COM
Vaccine Rates Drop Dangerously as Parents Avoid Doctor’s Visits
Please keep your young kids’ physical appointments!
PEOPLE.COM
Pediatricians Want Parents to Keep Children's Vaccination Appointments amid Coronavirus
We Are Pediatricians
April 19 at 1:05 PM ·
I've heard pediatricians all across the country worry about what will happen if parents skip routine well visits due to fear of COVID19. We're all doing things in our offices based on the local risks and capabilities to make our offices as safe as possible so parents can feel confident bringing their children in for routine care. If it's more appropriate to do visits by telemedicine, most are offering that!
If you think your child may need to be seen, call your pediatrician to see what they suggest.
We Are Pediatricians
April 19 at 1:05 PM ·
I've heard pediatricians all across the country worry about what will happen if parents skip routine well visits due to fear of COVID19. We're all doing things in our offices based on the local risks and capabilities to make our offices as safe as possible so parents can feel confident bringing their children in for routine care. If it's more appropriate to do visits by telemedicine, most are offering that!
If you think your child may need to be seen, call your pediatrician to see what they suggest.
Webinar from the AAP: Smart Solutions for Safe and Sound Sleep. Help your little ones sleep better and safer!
Healthy Children
October 16 at 11:54 AM ·
Do you wish your kids (and therefore you) slept better? 😴 Join us on November 10 at 12:30 pm ET for a new, free parent webinar: Smart Solutions for Safe and Sound Sleep. Reserve your virtual seat today! https://aap.webex.com/aap/onstage/g.php?MTID=e29e35ca719340fc26c21dd92ed52210b
During these uncertain times, one thing is certain. Coastal Pediatrics is commited to keeping your children healthy. Since the beginning of the pandemic, our outdoor sick/covid testing clinic in Ventura was established so that Urgent Care/ER visits are kept to a minimum. We also continue to see healthy children inside our offices for their essential physicals, immunizations and other needs. Coastal Pediatrics remains dedicated to the children of Ventura County!
