Content and Objectives

The focus of research on mortality in Germany is on the analysis of spatial and social disparities and their causes. What individual factors such as health behaviour and social status play a role in mortality development, and how are they related to contextual influencing factors such as the economic and ecological situation of a region or the health care system? The research combines demographic, socio-geographic and medical theory concepts and applies innovative methods of analysis. These include advanced decomposition methods and spatiotemporal modelling procedures. Another focus is on the COVID-19 pandemic: In addition to differential evaluations of the regional distribution of infections, deaths and risk factors, work is being done on agent-based forecasting models for potential courses of the pandemic and their effects on the utilisation of intensive care bed capacities. In addition, contributions are being made to the further development of the data structure for mortality analyses.

As part of a cooperation project with the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR), the BiB is compiling a regional mortality database for Germany. In its first development phase, it contains statistical data for the 16 Länder as well as East and West Berlin since 1982. The database quality is aligned to the high standards of the Human Mortality Database (HMD). For the first time, it allows a detailed regional insight into the effects of the end of the GDR and reunification on mortality development. Furthermore, the database is also analysed with regard to the aspect of equal living conditions. In addition to scientific publications, the data is used to inform the general public about current mortality trends. There is also a collaborative project with the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on the effects of socioeconomic deprivation on regional mortality differences. Other collaborations include a joint project with Research Group 3.4 "Global and Regional Population Dynamics" to measure and evaluate regional trends in healthy life expectancy.