This volume investigates the primary drivers of adult mortality in developed nations, shifting the focus from descriptive statistics to causal explanations. Edited by Alan D. Lopez, Graziella Caselli, and Tapani Valkonen, the work synthesizes demographic data to analyze why mortality rates vary significantly across different socioeconomic strata and national borders. By examining the transition of mortality patterns in the twentieth century, the authors provide a framework for understanding how social and economic environments dictate health outcomes in aging populations.

Experts in the field of demography recognize this volume as a foundational text for understanding the shift in mortality patterns toward older age groups. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous resource for public health researchers and policy analysts.