Leukemia killed 125 children in the age group whose midpoint is 2.5 years. Using an end point of 65 years, what is the years of potential life lost for that group?
A8,125.0 years
B6,875.0 years
C7,812.5 years
D7,500.0 years
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. 7,812.5 years
1. Working from grouped data, first find the years each death in the group represents.
2. Subtract the age midpoint from the end point: 65 minus 2.5 equals 62.5 years per death.
3. Multiply by the number of deaths in the group: 125 times 62.5.
4. 125 times 62.5 equals 7,812.5 years of potential life lost.
5. 8,125.0 is 125 times 65, which forgets to subtract the midpoint at all.
6. 7,500.0 uses a midpoint of 5 years and 6,875.0 uses a midpoint of 10 years, so both take the midpoint from the wrong age band.
_Source: CDC Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice (3rd ed., US federal, public domain), Lesson 3 "Measures of Risk", section Method for calculating YPLL from a frequency_
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