What formula is used to calculate the Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR)?

The Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) is calculated using the formula that divides the number of observed deaths by the number of expected deaths. This ratio provides a way to assess the mortality risk in a given study population in relation to the mortality risk of a standard population. An SMR of 1 indicates that the mortality rate in the study population is equivalent to that of the standard population, while an SMR greater than 1 indicates higher mortality and less than 1 indicates lower mortality in the study population relative to the expected baseline.

By using the ratio of observed to expected deaths, researchers can effectively evaluate health outcomes and identify potential discrepancies in mortality rates that may warrant further investigation. Thus, the calculated SMR is essential for comparisons across different populations and can help in public health planning and resource allocation.