What does the Epidemiologic Transition Model predict about the age distribution of deaths as mortality declines?

What does the Epidemiologic Transition Model predict about the age distribution of deaths as mortality declines?

• A. Age Distribution of Deaths Shifts Upward
• B. Becomes Younger
• C. Remains Constant
• D. Becomes Evenly Distributed Across Ages

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that as mortality declines, people live longer and deaths occur at older ages. When a population reduces deaths from infectious diseases and malnutrition, infant and early-life deaths drop, and more people survive into old age. That means the age at which most deaths occur moves upward, so the share of deaths among older people increases. This is why the best answer is that the age distribution of deaths shifts upward. The other patterns—deaths becoming younger, staying the same, or becoming evenly distributed across ages—don’t align with how life expectancy rises and aging populations change where deaths occur.

The main idea is that as mortality declines, people live longer and deaths occur at older ages. When a population reduces deaths from infectious diseases and malnutrition, infant and early-life deaths drop, and more people survive into old age. That means the age at which most deaths occur moves upward, so the share of deaths among older people increases. This is why the best answer is that the age distribution of deaths shifts upward. The other patterns—deaths becoming younger, staying the same, or becoming evenly distributed across ages—don’t align with how life expectancy rises and aging populations change where deaths occur.