The Swaroop and Uemura index, sometimes called the Proportional Mortality Indicator, is used by demographers to characterise the level of development of a population. It is calculated as:
- A Proportion of total deaths occurring above the age of 50 years ✓
- B Proportion of total deaths due to communicable diseases
- C Ratio of infant deaths to total deaths multiplied by 100
- D Proportion of deaths among the under-five age group
Correct answer: A. Proportion of total deaths occurring above the age of 50 years
Explanation
The Swaroop-Uemura index is the percentage of total deaths occurring in individuals aged 50 years and above. In developed populations with good survival, most deaths occur at older ages, so a higher index reflects better health status and an advanced epidemiological transition. In developing populations, a larger share of deaths occurs at younger ages, lowering the index. It is a proportion of deaths, not a true rate, and requires no population denominator.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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