for each age group of each of the two populations being compared. For
example, for age group 0–4, the U.S. population for 1970 was 84,416 (per
million); therefore, we have:
(a) Alaska rate¼405.0 per 100,000. The expected number of deaths is
ð 84 ; 416 Þð 405 : 0 Þ
100 ; 000
¼ 341 : 9
F 342
(Fmeans ‘‘almost equal to’’).
(b) Florida rate¼375.3 per 100,000. The expected number of deaths is
ð 84 ; 416 Þð 375 : 3 Þ
100 ; 000
¼ 316 : 8
F 317
which is lower than the expected number of deaths for Alaska
obtained for the same age group.
- Obtain the total number of deaths expected.
- The age-adjusted death rate is
adjusted rate¼
total number of deaths expected
total standard population
100 ; 000
The calculations are detailed in Table 1.8.
The age-adjusted death rate per 100,000 population for Alaska is 788.6 and
for Florida is 770.6. These age-adjusted rates are much closer than as shown by
the crude rates, and the adjusted rate for Florida islower. It is important to
keep in mind that any population could be chosen as ‘‘standard,’’ and because
TABLE 1.8
Alaska Florida
Age
Group
1970 U.S.
Standard
Million
Age-
Specific
Rate
Expected
Deaths
Age-
Specific
Rate
Expected
Deaths
0–4 84,416 405.0 342 375.3 317
5–19 294,353 83.6 246 60.3 177
20–44 316,744 261.0 827 190.5 603
45–64 205,745 777.6 1600 1101.5 2266
65 þ 98,742 4933.3 4871 4397.9 4343
Total 1,000,000 7886 7706
RATES 17