Defects in Data on Old Age Mortality in the United States: New Procedures for Calculating Approximately Accurate Mortality Schedules and Life Tables at the Highest Ages

摘要

The project evaluated the quality of mortality data for the elderly population with respect to the reporting of age. Death rates for the elderly population are extremely important; therefore, the study evaluated the sources of error in these data and identified procedures for addressing these problems. The study was expected to produce a National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) series report describing estimation and adjustment methods for mortality data of the elderly; qualifying text in NCHS annual volumes regarding the quality of mortality statistics for the elderly population; possible modification in computation methods for annual and decennial life tables; and additional detail for the elderly population in routine vital statistics publications. Tasks included in the investigation were a review and evaluation of data on age distributions in the developed world using a variety of demographic techniques, and development of a methodology and procedures for obtaining alternative estimates of mortality and life expectancy for the elderly using Medicare data.