Mortality differentials by size of place and sex in Pennsylvania for 1960 and 1970

Factors which affect mortality rates differ by size of place of residence. Mortality differentials were examined by size of place of residence for two recent time periods. A new method of rate adjustment was employed to eliminate the confounding effects of differences in age composition upon rates. Positive associations between adjusted mortality rates and size of place were evident in both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. The smallest places in metropolitan counties had the lowest adjusted mortality rates. The adjusted mortality rates for males exceeded those for females in each size of place. These patterns were evident in data for both 1960 and 1970. The adjusted mortality rates for females declined by greater percentages than did those for males in each size of place between 1960 and 1970.