title: Conversion of mortality ratios to a numerical rating classification for life insurance underwriting-revisited.
abstract: This is a commentary requested by the J Insur Med Editor to accompany a reprinting in this 2004 issue of my 1988 article on "Conversion of Mortality Ratios to a Numerical Rating Classification for Life Underwriting" (J Insur Med 1988;20:54-61). Topics discussed in this commentary include the distinction between short-term and long-term mortality follow-up in certain conditions, the format and the introductory text of the US Decennial Life Tables, the distinction between mortality rate and mortality probability, averaging mortality rates over a period of years, and the great value of the exemplary follow-up study used in the 1988 article.
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Singer
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007352:Insurance, Life / Q000145:classification*; D015993:Life Tables; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D012015:Reference Standards; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors