A disparity-based diffusion approach to analysis of mortality decline

The process of mortality decline can be described as a spatial process of "grand innovation' diffusion, whereby the "grand innovation' spreads over space. The central notion is that, during that diffusion process, the spatial system moves from high to low mortality rates, and that this process can be described through the concept of spatial disparities in crude mortality rates. The process operates in both the temporal and spatial dimensions. Therefore, two simple models are presented: a temporal disparity-based mortality-decline diffusion model, and a spatial disparity-based mortality-decline diffusion model. This approach provides a basis for a further development of a methodology for studying the dynamic pattern of mortality changes and decline over time and space. -Author