A Revised Method for the Calculation of Life Expectancy Tables from Individual Death Records which Provides Increased Accuracy at Advanced Ages

Document Type

Article

Authors

Ralph W. Mathisen, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Richard B. Mazess, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

Abstract

A revised method was developed for the calculation of life-expectancy tables over age intervals for populations, such as those obtained from death certificates or epitaphs, where individual ages at death are known or can be estimated. A comparison of the conventional and the revised methods showed that the use of the conventional method results in large relative errors in life expectancy at “advanced” ages. Means of correcting errors in the raw death data caused by rounding, age exaggeration and infant mortality are given.

Recommended Citation

Mathisen, Ralph W. and Mazess, Richard B. (1981) "A Revised Method for the Calculation of Life Expectancy Tables from Individual Death Records which Provides Increased Accuracy at Advanced Ages," Human Biology: Vol. 53: Iss. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol53/iss1/6