Community A and community B both have crude mortality rates for ischaemic heart disease (IHD) of 4 per 1000 population per year but the age‐adjusted IHD mortality
Rate in community A is 5 per 1000 population compared to 3 per 1000 population in
Community B.Which of the following is correct?
A)Community A has a younger population than community B
B)Community A has an older population than community B
C)Diagnosis is more accurate in community A
D)Diagnosis is more accurate in community B

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mortality from IHD increases with age.If the age‐adjusted rate is higher than
the crude rate in population A then, on average, population A must be younger than the
standard population.In contrast, the age‐adjusted rate in population B is lower than the
crude rate so this population must, on average, be older than the standard population.
Community A therefore has a younger population than community B.The accuracy of
diagnosis (C, D) is irrelevant.

Community a and Community B Both Have Crude Mortality Rates