Mortality

Mortality refers to the number of people who died within a population.

Mortality

The Grim Reaper, a common symbol of death and mortality.

Definition	The number of deaths in a specific population.
Related Terms	Morbidity, Life expectancy, Demography

Infant mortality rate without legend

Mortality refers to the number of deaths within a specific population over a given period of time. It is a crucial metric in demography and public health, helping to understand the health status and life expectancy of a population.

Definition and Measurement

Mortality is quantified using various metrics, the most common of which are:

• Crude Death Rate (CDR): The total number of deaths in a population over a given year, divided by the mid-year population, usually multiplied by 1,000. It is expressed per 1,000 individuals.
• Age-specific Death Rate (ASDR): Reflects the mortality of a specific age group in the population. It is often used to study patterns of mortality across different age groups.
• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): The number of deaths of children under 1 year of age per 1,000 live births in the same year.

These measurements help researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals understand and track the health of populations over time.

Factors Influencing Mortality

Various factors can influence mortality rates, including:

• Diseases and Illnesses: Endemic diseases or outbreaks can significantly increase death rates in affected areas.
• Socioeconomic Status: Populations with lower socioeconomic status tend to have higher mortality rates due to limited access to healthcare, poor nutrition, and other related factors.
• Natural Disasters: Events such as earthquakes, floods, and droughts can lead to increased mortality.
• Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of exercise can lead to chronic diseases and higher mortality rates.
• Access to Healthcare: Populations with easy access to quality healthcare tend to have lower mortality rates.

Mortality Rates Worldwide

Mortality rates vary significantly worldwide, influenced by a combination of natural, social, economic, and political factors. Countries with well-established healthcare systems, good nutrition, and high educational standards typically have lower mortality rates than those lacking in these areas.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international bodies collect and analyze data on global mortality trends to guide international health policy and intervention efforts.

See Also

• Morbidity
• Life expectancy
• Demography
• Public health

References

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• Demography: Measuring and Modeling Population Processes. Samuel H. Preston, Patrick Heuveline, and Michel Guillot. Blackwell Publishers, 2000.
• World Health Organization. World Health Statistics. WHO, 2022.

Also see Morbidity

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