Decomposition of life expectancy changes by cause of death

Collaboration

NIDI

Funding

Eurostat

Projectleader

Drs. Joop de Beer (NIDI)

Researchers

Drs. Erik Beekink (NIDI), Dr Luc Bonneux (NIDI), Drs. Peter Ekamper (NIDI), Drs. Corina Huisman (NIDI), Dr Frans van Poppel (NIDI),  René Wetters (NIDI), Professor Frans Willekens (NIDI), Dr Fanny Janssen (PRC) and Professor Leo van Wissen (PRC)

Period

January 2007 – December 2007

Summary of the project

The aim of the project is to analyse past mortality trends in the EU member countries as well as in the candidate countries and EEA countries. The analysis will focus on the contribution of changes in age patterns and cause of death patterns to changes in life expectancy. On the basis of these analyses assumptions on future changes in life expectancy in European countries will be formulated.

The project consist of three parts:

1. Selection of data. Data on both numbers of deaths distinguished by sex, age and cause of death and data on the population by age and sex will be obtained from Eurostat. Other sources will be used for completing the data for missing years and age groups. The quality of the data will be evaluated and the data will be harmonized.
2. Selection of methodology.  Existing methods for assessing the contribution of changes in age and cause specific mortality rates to changes in life expectancy will be reviewed. A methodology will be developed for comparing both changes through time and differences between countries.
3. Implementation of methodology.  Past trends in age and cause specific mortality rates and their effect on life expectancy at births and at older ages will be analysed using the methods selected in part 2. On the basis of the analyses assumptions on future changes in life expectancy will be formulated.  

Fanny Janssen and Leo van Wissen will be especially involved in formulating assumptions on future changes in life expectancy.