How to construct a Mortality Abstract (number 497M-1 as an example)

Since the 1976 publication of the first Medical Risks volume of analyses of mortality follow-up (FU) studies (called "mortality abstracts"), members of the American Academy of Insurance Medicine have sought to extend this method of using FU studies in the medical literature to produce comparative mortality data useful for medical underwriting. Seminars on life table methodology started in 1977 and courses are now sponsored by the Board of insurance Medicine. The Journal of Insurance Medicine has published many mortality abstracts and methodology articles, and methodology is further pursued by the Editor in this issue of the Journal. TEXT: Retrieval of the source data (Annual Reports) is described and the source tables are evaluated. These are related to a previous 1976 Abstract. The design of the Abstract is described: other sources, tables, background, expected mortality, descriptive text, and comment. Aspects of life table methodology are used throughout the description.

The construction of the current Mortality Abstract 497M-1 on mortality in cystic fibrosis is described in detail.