Question

If you calculate the indirect age-adjusted mortality for Small Town using age-specific mortality rates for Big Town, and we find an SMR of 50, what does this indicate?

1) The mortality rate in Small Town is half of that in Big Town
2) The mortality rate in Small Town is twice that in Big Town
3) The mortality rate in Small Town is the same as that in Big Town
4) Cannot be determined from the given information

Answer 1

To calculate the Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR), you follow these steps:

1. **Calculate the expected deaths in Small Town:** Multiply the age-specific mortality rates of Big Town by the corresponding age-specific population in Small Town.

2. **Sum the expected deaths:** Add up all the expected deaths.

3. **Calculate the SMR:** Divide the observed deaths in Small Town by the expected deaths and multiply by 100 to get a percentage.

If the SMR is 50, it means the observed deaths are 50% of the expected deaths. So, the correct interpretation is:

**1) The mortality rate in Small Town is half of that in Big Town.**

Answer 2

If the indirect age-adjusted mortality for Small Town using age-specific mortality rates for Big Town is 50, it means that the mortality rate in Small Town is twice that in Big Town.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you calculate the indirect age-adjusted mortality for Small Town using age-specific mortality rates for Big Town, and find an SMR of 50, it indicates that the mortality rate in Small Town is twice that in Big Town.