Life Table Analysis
- Estimates age-specific survival probabilities from observed counts of individuals and deaths.
- Commonly applied in biology, demography, and actuarial science to predict population longevity.
- Helps identify factors that may contribute to mortality and inform interventions.
Definition
Section titled “Definition”Life table analysis is a statistical method used to study the mortality and survival patterns of a population. It is typically used in the fields of biology, demography, and actuarial science.
Explanation
Section titled “Explanation”Researchers collect data on the number of individuals in a population and the number of individuals that die at each age or during each time interval. Using this information, they construct a life table that shows the probability of an individual surviving to each age. From these survival probabilities, analysts can make predictions about overall longevity and examine factors associated with mortality.
Examples
Section titled “Examples”Species of bird
Section titled “Species of bird”Researchers collect data on a bird population’s size and annual deaths to create a life table showing survival probabilities by age. For example, a life table might show that the probability of an individual bird surviving to age 1 is 0.9 and the probability of surviving to age 2 is 0.8. This information can be used to predict the population’s longevity and identify factors contributing to mortality.
Human mortality patterns
Section titled “Human mortality patterns”Researchers collect age-specific mortality data for a human population and build a life table showing survival probabilities by age. For example, a life table might show that the probability of an individual surviving to age 1 is 0.98 and the probability of surviving to age 2 is 0.97. This information can be used to predict longevity and identify factors contributing to mortality in the population.
Use cases
Section titled “Use cases”- Studying mortality and survival patterns in biological populations.
- Analyzing human mortality patterns in demography.
- Estimating life expectancy and risk in actuarial science.
- Making predictions about population longevity and identifying potential factors contributing to mortality.
- Informing strategies to improve health and survival based on identified mortality patterns.
Related terms
Section titled “Related terms”- Life table
- Mortality
- Survival patterns
- Mortality rates
- Demography
- Actuarial science