Demographic and Biological Applications

Abstract

Up to now, we have implicitly assumed that the lifetimes under consideration are mostly those of engineering (technical) items. Statistical reliability theory usually deals with methods of statistical inference based on lifetime data that describe performance of technical objects. The corresponding distribution functions, parameters of distributions, failure rates and other relevant characteristics are estimated on the basis of available observations (failure times, censored operation intervals, etc.). Similar methods are developed in survival analysis and are usually implemented in medical applications. On the other hand, reliability theory possesses the well-developed ‘machinery’ for stochastic modelling of ageing (deterioration) that eventually leads to failures of technical objects. These methods can be successfully applied to lifespan modelling of humans and other organisms. Thus, not only the final event (e.g., death) can be considered, but the process that results in this event as well. Several simple reliability-based stochastic approaches to the corresponding modelling will be described in what follows. In this chapter, we will not restrict ourselves to discussing the properties of failure (mortality) rates but consider the topic from a broader viewpoint. Note that here we are looking only at some relevant simple models and applications that reflect the research interests of the author in this area and could be helpful to the reader as a source for initial reading.