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Am J Epidemiol
. 2024 Dec 10:kwae453.
doi: 10.1093/aje/kwae453. Online ahead of print. School Closures and Respiratory Infections Transmission and Mortality: Evidence from School Holidays in Poland
Krzysztof Zaremba 1
Affiliations
This study examines the impact of temporary school closures on influenza transmission and respiratory mortality, leveraging a natural experiment from winter break timings in Polish schools. Using causal inference methods on 12 years of ILI (Influenza-Like Illness) data and two decades of respiratory death records, the analysis shows significant reductions in ILI incidence within four weeks post-closures in an average season: 75% among school-aged children, 55% in adults, 26% in pre-school children, and 31% in the elderly, compared to pre-vacation averages. Notably, a 7% decrease in respiratory mortality was observed among the elderly, highlighting school closures as an effective public health intervention for reducing influenza spread and mortality among high-risk groups.
Keywords: Influenza; Respiratory Mortality; School Closure.
. 2024 Dec 10:kwae453.
doi: 10.1093/aje/kwae453. Online ahead of print. School Closures and Respiratory Infections Transmission and Mortality: Evidence from School Holidays in Poland
Krzysztof Zaremba 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 39663466
- DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwae453
This study examines the impact of temporary school closures on influenza transmission and respiratory mortality, leveraging a natural experiment from winter break timings in Polish schools. Using causal inference methods on 12 years of ILI (Influenza-Like Illness) data and two decades of respiratory death records, the analysis shows significant reductions in ILI incidence within four weeks post-closures in an average season: 75% among school-aged children, 55% in adults, 26% in pre-school children, and 31% in the elderly, compared to pre-vacation averages. Notably, a 7% decrease in respiratory mortality was observed among the elderly, highlighting school closures as an effective public health intervention for reducing influenza spread and mortality among high-risk groups.
Keywords: Influenza; Respiratory Mortality; School Closure.