Death Rate

Death rate, also known as mortality rate, is a measure of the number of deaths in a particular population, scaled to the size of that population, per unit of time. Death rate is typically expressed in units of deaths per 1,000 individuals per year.

Overview

The death rate is a vital statistic that provides information about the level of mortality in a population. It is an important tool for demographers, epidemiologists, public health officials, and policy makers. The death rate is used to compare the health of different populations, monitor trends in health over time, and identify health disparities among subgroups of a population.

Calculation

The death rate is calculated by dividing the number of deaths by the population size, and then multiplying the result by 1,000. This gives the number of deaths per 1,000 people. For example, if a population of 10,000 experiences 100 deaths in a year, the death rate would be 10 per 1,000.

Factors Influencing Death Rate

Several factors can influence the death rate of a population. These include the population's age distribution, its health care access and quality, its socioeconomic status, and its exposure to health risks such as diseases and environmental hazards.

Death Rate and Public Health

Understanding the death rate is crucial for public health. High death rates can indicate problems with health care access, disease prevalence, or other health challenges. Conversely, low death rates can suggest effective health care systems, low disease prevalence, and good overall health in a population.

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World map of death rates, 2012

See Also

• Birth rate
• Life expectancy
• Infant mortality rate
• Morbidity rate

References

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