Re-evaluating mortality statistics: a Sri Lankan case study

Abstract

Sri Lanka's health statistics appear to be among the best in South Asia Mortality figures in particular appear to be far better than those of the other countries in the region. According to these figures the life expectancy of a Sri Lankan is the highest in the region. Based on health (and some other socio-demographic) indicators, an assumption that Sri Lanka's health status is superior to other countries in the region is made by some. This paper looks critically at the accuracy of some of the commonly highlighted health statistics, e.g. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Crude Death Rate (CDR) and Life Expectancy.

Keywords

• crude death rate, maternal mortality ratio, infant mortality rate, life expectancy, underreporting, sources