Definition

Deaths with influenza or pneumonia as the underlying cause of death. ICD-10 codes: J09-J18

Numerator

Number of deaths due to influenza and pneumonia

Denominator

Total number of persons in the population

Why Is This Important?

Influenza and pneumonia combined were the eleventh leading cause of death among New Jersey residents and ninth among all US residents in 2020. (Influenza and pneumonia are combined for ranking as a leading cause of death, however the majority of those deaths are due to pneumonia.)

How Are We Doing?

The age-adjusted death rate due to influenza and pneumonia had been generally declining for many years, however the rate increased in 2020. In the total population and among each racial/ethnic group, males have a significantly higher death rate than females. For 2018-2020, county rates per 100,000 population (age-adjusted) ranged from a low of 9.5 in Burlington to a high of 25.0 in Salem.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The New Jersey age-adjusted death rate due to influenza and pneumonia is usually significantly below that of the US. However, in 2020, it was slightly above the US rate.

What Is Being Done?

The New Jersey Department of Health has several programs that track influenza and pneumonia infections or that [https://njiis.nj.gov/core/web/index.html#/mission track] and/or promote vaccination. Health care professionals are to immediately call in confirmed or suspected cases of influenza to the local health department. The [https://njiis.nj.gov/core/web/index.html#/vfcDocs Vaccines for Children Program] provides pediatric vaccines at no cost to doctors who serve children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay.

Evidence-based Practices

Annual influenza vaccination is the most effective method for preventing influenza virus infection and its complications.[https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/index.html ^1^] Vaccination against pneumococcal disease has been effective in reducing infections among seniors and persons with certain medical conditions.[https://www.cdc.gov/pneumonia/prevention.html ^2^]

Health Program Information

Seasonal Flu: [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/flu.shtml]