STATISTICAL-ANALYSIS OF THE STANDARDIZED MORTALITY RATIO AND LIFE EXPECTANCY

A new theoretical relation that does not require the constant age-spec ific mortality ratio assumption is established between the standardize d mortality ratio (SMR) and the life expectancy. A set of regression e quations is developed from the theoretical relation to derive estimate s of the future expectation of life from estimates of the SMR. Curves are presented showing the changes in life expectancy that are associat ed with a given SMR for individuals aged 25, 45, and 65 years. These r esults will provide practical applications in estimating remaining lif e expectancy in epidemiologic studies in which the SMR is the summary statistic. An application is shown for studies in occupational health to develop and illustrate the method.