Thomas E. Steahr

An estimate of foodborne illness in the elderly population of the United States, 1987-93

The purpose of this study is to provide one estimate of the level of foodborne illness in the elderly population of the United States and to examine changes over time in these patterns. The analysis is based upon the National Hospital Discharge Survey done by the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1987 to 1993. A list of foodborne illness is developed using International Classification of Disease Codes , 9th Revision. Major findings are that the counts of foodborne illness for patients 65 years of age and older who were discharged from hospitals are increasing. Illness classified as Unspecified Noninfectious Gastroenteritis and colitis and intestinal infections due to other organisms are most frequently mentioned. Demographic characteristics of age and sex are associated with different levels of foodborne illness. Additional investigation is needed to identify current levels of illness in a population projected to increases significantly in the near future.

Food‐borne illness in the United States: Geographic and demographic patterns

Food‐borne illness in the United States in 1990 is first defined with the construction of List A, based on ICD‐9‐CM, 4th ed., codes for diseases. Using this list, the geographical and demographic patterns are presented using national data on physician office visits, hospital discharge certificates, and death certificates. Children under 14 years old accounted for the largest percentage of physician office visits. In terms of hospital discharge certificates, persons 65 years and older accounted for the largest percentage. In terms of deaths, the elderly 65 years and older were the largest category. Variations by sex, region, and race are presented.

An estimation of foodborne illness in populations with HIV/AIDS infection, United States, 1987–93

The purpose of this research is to arrive at an approximation of the level of foodborne/waterborne illness in the United States for persons with HIV/AIDS infection and to determine trends in these patterns by age of patient. The National Hospital Discharge Survey in the United States is used to identify HIV/AIDS patients by ICD‐9–3CM codes. These codes are used to link these persons with codes for foodborne/waterborne illness. Odds ratios are calculated to estimate the elevated chance of foodborne/waterborne illness for this population. Analysis shows that hospital discharge certificates with mention of HIV/AIDS infection have 4–6 times greater chance of foodborne/waterborne illness than do certificates without mention of HIV/AIDS infection. When age is considered, relative risks increase to 8.6 times greater for HIV/AIDS patients. Trend data show increased in odds ratios from 1988 to 1993. These estimates establish the elevated association of foodborne/waterborne illness with HIV/AIDS patients discharged...