Changing Concepts of Morbidity and Mortality in the Elderly Population

A review of current theories concerning human mortality is first presented and their consistency with current evidence on mortality is considered. The author then presents some alternative perspectives on human mortality and longevity and discusses short- and long-term implications of various models of mortality. The need for systematic mortality research with a multidisciplinary perspective in order to understand current mortality conditions and to anticipate future mortality trends is stressed. The main geographic focus of the study is on the United States and the need to obtain information to plan for a rapidly aging population is emphasized.