Age standardization / standardisation
\eɪʤ\ \stændərdɪˈzeɪʃən\
The process of calculating average mortality rates using weightings based on a standard reference population.
When comparing different populations, it is often easier to think about an average mortality rate rather than mortality rates for each individual age. To avoid misleading comparisons, we need to allow for any differences in the age profile when calculating this average. The process of weighting the mortality rates based on a standard reference population is called age standardization.