[Recent methodological advances in measuring mortality differentials]

"Some recent techniques are discussed which facilitate the analysis of differential mortality according to several simultaneous criteria, in situations where small samples impede cross-tabulation by all relevant dimensions. All of these techniques involve the use of regression models." The primary object is to provide an introduction to this topic for the nonspecialist. An extensive bibliography is provided. "The logic behind Cox's proportional hazards method, the most common in present applications, is explained, and its advantages and disadvantages are pointed out. More appropriate alternatives for the analysis of mortality in human population are indicated. Finally, some comments are made on the problem of unexplained heterogeneity and on extensions to indirect estimation, which were inspired by Cox's method." (summary in ENG)