Potential years of life lost: what is the denominator?
OBJECTIVE
To suggest an appropriate denominator for use with the statistic "potential years of life lost", in order to facilitate valid comparisons between health authorities.


METHODS
Analysis of OPCS population and mortality data for the period 1987-91.


METHODS
Data for Wales were analysed to provide comparisons between the nine district health authorities.


METHODS
There were 46,139 males and 30,258 females--that is, all deaths of Welsh residents, aged under 75 years, during the period 1987-91.


RESULTS
The use of age sensitive denominators with the potential years of life lost statistic alters the rank position of Welsh district health authorities.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that potential years of life lost should be expressed as a rate per 100,000 potential years of life in public health common data sets, and elsewhere, to facilitate valid comparisons between health authorities.
Marlow
A K
AK
Department of Public Health Medicine, Powys Health, The Laurels, Bronllys, Brecon.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology