Individual Aging and Mortality Rate: How Are They Related?

Anatoli Yashin, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Svetlana V. Ukraintseva, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Serge I. Boiko, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Anatoli I. Michalski, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

Using new evidence, we analyze the reasons of change in the pattern of mortality decline during the last century in developed countries. We show that this change may be characterized by the behavior of the slope of the logarithm of the mortality curve. This slope is often associated with the demographic rate of aging. We discuss the relationship between characteristics of demographic and individual aging in humans and suggest a mathematical model, which relates these notions. We fit the model to the period and cohort mortality data in thirteen countries. The results of analysis allow us to hypothesize the presence of a trade off mechanism capable of modulating individual aging rate in a human organism. The mechanism establishes a balance between protection against internal and external stresses. The connection of these results with the aging in experimental model organisms is discussed.