Which of these is correct about relationships between statistics for mortality rates and life expectancy?
A) Infant mortality rates decrease average life expectancy for the population more than adult or elderly mortality rates.
B) Mortality rates increase as adults become older, but causes of death for the elderly are not higher than overall causes.
C) Elderly mortality rates decrease average life expectancy for the population more than infant or child mortality rates.
D) Although mortality rates are higher for elderly than younger adults, causes of death are similar for both groups.

Question

​Which of these is correct about relationships between statistics for mortality rates and life expectancy?
A) ​Infant mortality rates decrease average life expectancy for the population more than adult or elderly mortality rates.
B) ​Mortality rates increase as adults become older, but causes of death for the elderly are not higher than overall causes.
C) ​Elderly mortality rates decrease average life expectancy for the population more than infant or child mortality rates.
D) ​Although mortality rates are higher for elderly than younger adults, causes of death are similar for both groups.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Infant mortality rates have a significant impact on average life expectancy calculations for a population. This is because life expectancy is an average measure that spans the entire expected life span of individuals within a population. High infant mortality rates reduce the average more dramatically than mortality rates at older ages, because each infant death removes a potential full lifespan from the average calculation, whereas deaths at older ages remove less potential life span from the average.

​Which of These Is Correct About Relationships Between Statistics for Mortality

Which of These Is Correct About Relationships Between Statistics for Mortality