Difference in Mortality, Essay Example

What are some of the factors you would want to consider in assessing such a difference in mortality?

The crude mortality rate data comparing Haiti and the United States suggests that the CMR is a heterogeneous index, which cannot be explained merely in terms of technological, social, and market development understood as “traditional patterns…that reduce mortality while fertility remains high.” (Indian National Science Academy et al., 2001, p. 28) This thesis is also consistent with historical empirical data, as crude mortality rates in countries do not necessarily decline with development. (Valin et al., 2001, p. 37) Thus, development is only one part of the equation: societal normativities must also be considered. In terms of these normativities, factors such as crime are crucial, insofar as high crime indicates a general “culture of violence”, which intimates a general worldview wherein life is devalued. Furthermore, factors such as nutrition and lifestyle choices are also relevant, insofar as this may lead to increased deaths, i.e., obesity in America. In this regard, various cause-specific mortality rates, such as heart disease may also be compared to the crude mortality rate, in order to provide a clearer etiology.