title: A model of aging and a shape of the observed force of mortality.
abstract: A probabilistic model of aging is considered. It is based on the assumption that a random resource, a stochastic process of aging (wear) and the corresponding anti-aging process are embedded at birth. A death occurs when the accumulated wear exceeds the initial random resource. It is assumed that the anti-aging process decreases wear in each increment. The impact of environment (lifestyle) is also taken into account. The corresponding relations for the observed and the conditional hazard rate (force of mortality) are obtained. Similar to some demographic models, the deceleration of mortality phenomenon is explained via the concept of frailty. Simple examples are considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematical Statistics, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, 9300 Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa. msf@wwg3.uovs.ac.za
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Finkelstein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013269:Stochastic Processes