A Comprehensive analysis of Gender, Racial, and Geographic Disparities in Septicemia Mortality in the United States (1999–2020) Using CDC WONDER Data

Objectives The goal of our study is to discover patterns and inequities attributed to septicemia-related deaths across the United States from 1999 to 2020. Methods We acquired death certificate data from CDC WONDER (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) of those patients that either died due to septicemia or septicemia was a contributing factor in their death. We analyzed this data and calculated age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) for every 100,000 people. We also examined the differences based on gender, race, ethnicity, urban/rural, and region. Also, we used Annual percent change (APC), along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to track the Changes in death rates over time. Key Findings Septicemia has caused 3.68 million deaths with AAMR 77.3 per 100,000. It has been noticed that Death rates declined from 1999 to 2012 but then it began to rise till 2020. Interestingly, men were affected more in comparison to women, having AAMR (88.3) which is significantly higher than 69.3 of women. Among the racial groups, non-Hispanic black individuals had the highest AAMR (131.2), followed by non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native population AAMR (102). Geographically, those people who were living in southern and rural regions were affected the most. Septicemia-related AAMR was higher in non-metropolitan areas (79.3) compared to to metropolitan areas (77). District of Columbia has reported the highest Rate of Mortality AAMR (135.4) while Minnesota reported the lowest (43.4). Conclusion Certain people whether defined by gender, race, and geographical location, are at more risk. Adequate and relevant steps must be taken in order to reduce septicemia-related mortality rates. It is of immense importance to strengthen the health sector in rural areas which includes early access to health care services and essential steps to enhance patient care.