Chapter 4, Problem 1RQ

Summary Introduction

To determine: The cause-specific mortality rate from cholera in 2010.

Introduction: Mortality is defined as the state of being mortal. Mortality rate, also called death rate, is a measure of the number of deaths in a given population.

Explanation of Solution

It is given that the Asian country had a population of 6 million people. During December 31, 2010, 60,000 deaths occurred. These included 30,000 deaths from cholera in 100,000 people who were sick with cholera.

The specific mortality rate is defined as the mortality due to a specific cause in a specific time period in a given population. For example: calculation of mortality rate for specific diseases such as cholera and tuberculosis.

Given information:

Total population = 6,000,000 (6 million)

Number of deaths occurred during the end of December = 60,000

Number of deaths from cholera = 30,000 in 100,000 people

People sick with cholera = 30,000

Therefore, the cause specific mortality rate can be calculated from the following formula:

$\begin{array}{c}\text{Cause}\text{specific}\text{mortality}\text{rate}\text{=}\frac{\text{Number of}\text{deaths from specified cause}}{\text{Total population}}\\ =\frac{30,000}{6,000,000}\\ =\frac{1}{200}\\ =\frac{5}{1000}\end{array}$

Conclusion

The cause-specific mortality rate from cholera in 2010 is 5/1000.