1. Mortality I.Mortality Measures II.Stylized Facts III.Mortality Determinants

2. I.Mortality measures Crude death rate (CDR): CDR = deaths/population (000s) 19502000 LDCs24.18.8 MDCs10.310.2 Source: United Nations 2001.

3. I.Mortality measures (cont) Life expectancy at birth: Definition – expected years lived by group subject to current age-specific death rates 19502000 LDCs41.062.9 MDCs66.274.9 Source: United Nations 2001.

4. Life Table Concepts Radix – initial population qx – probability of dying lx – survivors Lx – years lived Tx – cumulative years lived ex – expected years lived Handout: Abridged life table for Hawaii, 1919-20Abridged life table for Hawaii, 1919-20

5. II. Stylized Facts 1.Prior to c1750 mortality rates were high and variable. Famines and epidemics were recurring throughout the world. 2.Mortality decline began c1750-1800 in Europe; very gradual at first, then more rapid. 3.Mortality decline in developing countries is much more recent – a 20 th century phenomenon.

6. II. Stylized Facts (continued) 4.Life expectancy diverged then converged; substantial international differences persist.Life expectancy diverged then converged; substantial international differences persist. 5.Age-pattern of mortality is U-shaped in traditional societies; early declines are at young ages: Hawaii 1920 vs US 2000Hawaii 1920 US 2000 6.Mortality rates usually lower for women. 7.Epidemeological transition accompanies mortality transition. Early – infectious disease is major cause of death Late – degenerative disease is major cause of death

7. II. Stylized Facts (continued) 8.Close relationship between income and life expectancy but disagreement about why. Some low-income countries have achieved high life expectancy. Feeney and Mason 2001Feeney and Mason 2001 9.The relationship between income and life expectancy is shifting over time. 10.In recent years mortality conditions have become more variable with emergence of HIV/AIDS and economic and social disruption

8. III. Mortality Determinants Existing studies emphasize four factors 1.Public health measures 2.Advances in medical knowledge and practice 3.Improved personal hygiene 4.Rising incomes and standards of living