MD COVID-19 Confirmed Deaths (2020 - 2023)
Completion Date:
Project Overview
This dashboard provides data about confirmed Covid-19 deaths in the state of Maryland from 2020 to 2023. Users can customize the visuals by date and county slicers. By providing detailed breakdowns based on time and location, this dashboard can offer valuable insights on the existing disparities in number of deaths and death rates among the regions and counties. Stakeholders can further explore and determine what factors are contributing to this disparity and change future health outcomes for Maryland residents.
Role:
Problem Statement
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented global challenge, impacting healthcare systems, economies, and daily lives worldwide. This crisis has exposed significant vulnerabilities in public health infrastructures, strained healthcare resources, and highlighted disparities in access to healthcare. While the number of deaths has been gradually decreasing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1,167,210 people have died in the US since the beginning of the pandemic until early January 2024. COVID-19 remains a significant public health risk and thus requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders.
Executive Summary
Data Dictionary
Key Takeaways
• In 2023, total deaths declined significantly to just over 1,000 statewide, which is a 65% decrease in total deaths YoY%.
• Death YoY% decreased from 32% from 2021 to 2022 to 65% from 2022 to 2023, showing a significant statewide decrease in COVID-19 deaths.
• The Central and Capital regions have had the highest total deaths compared to other regions. Total deaths in the Central region stood at 7,757, and Capital region at 5,498, which accounts for 13,255 from the total of about 17,000 total deaths statewide from 2020 to 2023.
• Baltimore County accounts for the highest Covid-19 death rate as compared to any other county. From 2020 to 2023, Baltimore County\\\\\\\'s Death Rate stands at 20%, as compared to just 1% for the same period for Garrett County.
Next Steps
1. Address disparities among regions and counties by providing culturally competent care and ensuring equitable distribution of resources such as testing supplies, vaccines and medical facilities by prioritizing allocation based on need and vulnerability. The Total Deaths in Central region (7,757) and Capital region (5,498) of Maryland vastly outnumber those in the remaining regions combined (3,572). This disparity in COVID-19 deaths is cause for concern.
2. Working in public health campaigns to raise awareness about COVID-19 prevention and treatment. The Death Rate statewide has declined from 39% in 2021 to 65% by the end of 2023. Proactive public health measures, such as masking, testing, vaccines, hygiene and travel precautions have been effectively used to address the pandemic. These measures need to continue to be implemented in order to minimize the impacts of the pandemic in the state.
3. Policy interventions that advocate for and implement policies that address systemic issues such as affordable healthcare, education, employment and housing. The disparities in COVID-19 deaths among regions and counties of Maryland may be an indication of deeper socioeconomic crises. With 2,876 total deaths and a 20% death rate, Baltimore County, which is located in the Central region, took the brunt of the multi-faceted impacts of the pandemic.
Deployment
