Mortality Rate

What is Mortality Rate? Mortality rate measures the number of deaths within a specific population during a defined period, often expressed as a ratio, typically per 1,000 or 100,000 individuals. Mortality rates are used in epidemiology and public health to understand the prevalence of fatalities due to specific causes, such as a particular disease or accident, or more broadly to assess overall population health. It provides essential information for healthcare planning, resource allocation, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions or treatments. In most cases, the annual mortality rate remains relatively stable within many populations. However, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, or conflicts can lead to increased deaths, referred to as excess mortality.