Question

Suppose eight workers died because of exposure to a toxic chemical. What is the average YPLL for these workers, given their ages at death were 22, 25, 25, 35, 40, 48, 49, and 62 years. Use age 65 years as the endpoint.

Answer 1

Years of potential life lost, YPLL is an estimate of the average amount of year a person would have lived if he/she hasn't died prematurely.

It is a method to measure mortality and put more emphasis on younger people who die.

To calculate YPLL for these workers, following calculation has to be done ---

Endpoint age( life expectancy for this population) = 65 years

Subtract age of death from endpoint age

1st worker = 65 - 22 = 43

2nd worker = 65 - 25 = 40

3rd worker = 65 - 25 = 40

4th worker = 65 - 35 = 30

5th worker = 65 - 40 = 25

6th worker = 65 - 48 = 17

7th worker = 65 - 49 = 16

8th worker = 65 - 62 = 3

After calculating all the differences, add them up = 43+40+40+30+25+17+16+3 = 214

So for 8 people, we have 214 years of potential life lost.

And average YPLL would be ---

The total YPLL divided by the total population under 65 = 214/8 = 26.75

The average years of potential life lost is 26.75