Beginning with mortality data for 1999, a new population standard based on the projected year 2000 population will replace the 1940 standard used for age adjusting death rates. The 1940 standard has been widely used at the Federal and state levels since 1943, but some Federal agencies have used different standards causing confusion among data users and increasing the burden on State and local agencies, who have to produce multiple data series to be consistent with national data. Further, the 1940 standard is perceived to be outdated and incompatible with the current "older" age structure of the population. The intent of the change in standard is to have all agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services use the same standard, thereby reducing burden on State and local agencies and solving a perception problem. Changing the standard population affects mortality patterns and trends. Thus, the age-adjusted death rate for many chronic diseases is about twice as large using the 2000 standard than the 1940 standard, because the 2000 standard gives more weight to death rates at the older ages where mortality is higher. Overall, the differential between age-adjusted death rates for the white and black population will be reduced because greater weight will be placed on older ages where race differentials in mortality are smaller. Generally, the change in standard makes relatively little difference on the relative trend but can when age-specific rates follow divergent trends.
Learning Objectives: Participant will learn why the population standard was changed, and will learn the quantitative implications for trends and patterns of mortality
Keywords: Death, Mortality
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.