Mortality refers to the incidence of death within a population. It is a critical metric in healthcare and public health used to assess the effectiveness of medical interventions, health policies, and overall societal health. Mortality rates are often expressed as a ratio or percentage of deaths in a particular cohort or geographic area over a specified period. They can be categorized into crude, age-specific, and cause-specific mortality rates.
Understanding mortality is essential for healthcare as it serves as a fundamental indicator of a community’s overall health status. Mortality data guide healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers in identifying health disparities, prioritizing healthcare interventions, and allocating resources effectively. These data help to evaluate the impact of diseases, indicate the presence of emerging health threats, and track improvements or declines in public health over time. Moreover, assessing mortality rates can lead to: