Mortality Patterns and Trends in the United States

(Hardback)

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Zopf provides an account of the biological components of mortality, its various forms and causes, and its many differentials. The study considers mortality among a range of populations, according to differentials such as age, gender, race, ethnic origin, socio-economic and marital status, and urban or non-urban residence. It also traces changes in the impact of degenerative afflictions, infectious and parasitic diseases, and environmental factors. The result is a treatment of changes in mortality and its causes in the United States. The many graphs and tables present evidence of current mortality trends, and the bibliography adds to the usefulness of this work as a research tool. The text begins with an introductory overview of the components of mortality and the methods of measuring it. The following chapter analyses mortality within the general population according to specific differentials. The study then treats patterns trends, and causes of infant mortality. Zopf next considers the prevalence of several causes of death among different demographic groups, and he examines life expectancy rates for particular populations. A concluding chapter synthesises the information contained within this work. Demographers, sociologists, and health professionals could find this volume a useful addition to their libraries.

Reviews

In a straightforward manner, this book presents a rich array of demographic data about mortality, situated squarely within a framework of social explanation....Zopf has produced a readable, lucid discussion of mortality for this useful series.-Contemporary Sociology
The book is written clearly and intelligently and provides a stimulating mix of data, interpretation, and teaching of epidemiologic methodology.-The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
The sheer amount of coverage of differentials and geographic distribution of patterns and trends guarantees that everyone will find one or more areas of interest, and the reader who becomes immersed in the book will almost become an expert. The author's fluid writing style, along with a fairly detailed index, makes for easy reading. Certainly, every library will want this book on its shelves; and people who have any substantial interest in the topic of mortality...should consider having a copy close at hand.-Social Forces
This book will enable the student/researcher to better understand what causes such changes in mortality rates and the effects of such changes on society. Advanced undergraduate through professional.-Choice
This reference book, useful for college professors and students, contains extensive data compilations and explanations of what those data may mean.-Abstracts in Social Gerontology
"In a straightforward manner, this book presents a rich array of demographic data about mortality, situated squarely within a framework of social explanation....Zopf has produced a readable, lucid discussion of mortality for this useful series."-Contemporary Sociology
"The book is written clearly and intelligently and provides a stimulating mix of data, interpretation, and teaching of epidemiologic methodology."-The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
"This book will enable the student/researcher to better understand what causes such changes in mortality rates and the effects of such changes on society. Advanced undergraduate through professional."-Choice
"This reference book, useful for college professors and students, contains extensive data compilations and explanations of what those data may mean."-Abstracts in Social Gerontology
"The sheer amount of coverage of differentials and geographic distribution of patterns and trends guarantees that everyone will find one or more areas of interest, and the reader who becomes immersed in the book will almost become an expert. The author's fluid writing style, along with a fairly detailed index, makes for easy reading. Certainly, every library will want this book on its shelves; and people who have any substantial interest in the topic of mortality...should consider having a copy close at hand."-Social Forces

Author Bio

PAUL E. ZOPF, JR. is Dana Professor of Sociology at Guilford College./e An authority on demography, mortality, social theory and gerontology, he has published several texts on demography and is the author of American Women in Poverty (Greenwood, 1989).