title: Evaluation of multiple causes of death in occupational mortality studies.
abstract: An exploratory examination of the possibility of using multiple causes of death information from death certificates in mortality studies has been undertaken. The formation of a matrix of primary by contributory causes has been suggested. The matrix gives an overall picture of mortality patterns, serves as a scheme to identify disease combinations, and can be utilized as a data-editing device. From the matrix, several conventional, as well as several new statistics can be computed. The methodology has been illustrated with data from a cohort of steelworkers. The gain in information as a result of routinely recording multiple causes of death has also been discussed.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D009790:Occupations; D010414:Pennsylvania; D044469:Racial Groups; D013232:Steel
chemical_list: D013232:Steel