Trends in and determinants of mortality in the elderly population of Matlab, Bangladesh

Longitudinal data collected from the Demographic Surveillance System (DSS) in Matlab, a rural area in Bangladesh, are used for determining trends in and determinants of mortality of the elderly population (60 yr and over) in 1974–1996. The old-age mortality rate is high in Matlab, 1.2 times that of Sri Lankan and 1.5 times that of the Swedish elderly population in a comparable period. Mortality among the elderly population declined in 1974–1982, but much less so in 1982–1996.