[Years of potential life lost: their usefulness in the analysis of mortality in Mexico]

The evolution of the epidemiology of mortality in developing countries requires the use of indicators additional to cause specific mortality rates. This paper presents the leading causes of potential years of life lost in Mexico in 1983, by sex. Methodologic discussion focused on age limits and relative numbers. The indicator proved useful to assess the impact of infectious diseases, accidents and homicides as causes of premature death. It was also useful to identify years of potential life lost attributable to specific age and sex groups. The use of years of potential life lost provides valuable information to epidemiologic mortality analysis.