Japanese study finds increase in home death ratio during the COVID-19 pandemic

A new study has revealed the increased home death ratio in Japan during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. High population density, large numbers of patients infected with COVID-19, and areas with numerous enhanced home care support clinics and hospitals were all factors associated with increased home deaths.

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the preferences of patients for medical services as well as the way to receive medical care. A survey by medical institutions providing home-visit care in Japan reported an increase in the numbers of patients wishing to receive end-of-life care at home and new patients requesting home care.

However, the actual change in the percentage of home deaths remained unclear, and no study investigated the characteristics of areas associated with the increased proportion of home deaths.

Therefore, this new study, published in the JMA Journal, utilized publicly available data to determine changes in the proportion of home deaths before and after the COVID-19 pandemic along with the regional factors associated with the increased home deaths.

The analysis revealed that among all deaths from 2015 to 2021, the proportion of home deaths increased from 2020 to 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the proportion of home deaths significantly increased in areas with a large number of patients, high population density, and areas with numerous enhanced home care support clinics and hospitals.

These findings suggest that home deaths increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in urban areas, and the enhanced home care support clinics and hospitals played a significant role in meeting the increased demand.