Prepping for Flu Season

Determining staffing levels needed in each state to adequately treat patients and analyzing flu season data in the U.S.

Tools

Goals & Data Overview

Influenza and U.S. Census Data: 2009 - 2017

This analysis used influenza death data for each state from 2009 – 2017. The data is broken down into ten-year age groups. The US Census data set provides population figures for 5-year age groups in every county in the USA for the same years.

People 55 and older are at higher risk

  • Elderly individuals are more susceptible to death from influenza​

  • Staffing should be focused in states with higher elderly populations in order to minimize influenza deaths

Findings

Time of year staffing most needed

Flu deaths are lowest at the end of the summer season and highest at the beginning of the winter season.

States with highest total flu deaths

California, New York, and Florida have the highest populations of people over the age of 55. This population is more susceptible to deaths from the flu virus. Additionally, almost every state is aging so the risk of death will be even greater in the future.

Key Takeaways

Focus staffing where 55+ populations are the highest

Shift resources to address needs for health care, especially in states with high 55+ populations like California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania.​

Flu season is worst in January

Prepare staff ahead of time so that they are available to treat the flu in cold winter months, especially in January.​

U.S. population will continue to age

Projections indicate that the US population will continue to age so there will be an increased demand for healthcare resources as more people will have a higher vulnerability to the flu virus.​