The Health State Function, the Force of Mortality and other Characteristics resulting from the First Exit Time Theory applied to Life Table Data

Abstract

In this paper we summarize the main parts of the first exit time theory developed in connection to the life table data and the resulting theoretical and applied issues. Several new tools arise from the development of this theory and especially the Health State Function and some important characteristics of this function. Special attention has being done in the presentation of the health state function along with the well established theory for the Force of Mortality and the related applications as are the life tables and the estimation of life expectancies. A main part of this work is the formulation of the appropriate non-linear analysis program including a model which provides an almost perfect fit to life table data. This model, proposed in 1995 is now expanded as to include the mortality excess for the age group from 15-30 years. A version of the program is given in Excel and provided at the website: http://www.cmsim.net