Which describes the consequences of a higher death rate in a population?

A higher death rate in a population directly leads to a shorter life expectancy. Life expectancy is an average measure of the number of years that a person can expect to live based on statistical calculations, which are heavily influenced by mortality rates. When the death rate rises, it indicates that more individuals are dying within a certain timeframe, consequently lowering the average life expectancy for the population as a whole. This is important because life expectancy is a critical metric often used by health care providers, policymakers, and insurance companies to make informed decisions regarding resources and planning.

In contrast, increased healthcare costs may arise from various factors within a healthcare system and are not inherently a result of a higher death rate. Similarly, higher fertility rates reflect a different aspect of population dynamics and are not directly related to mortality rates. Lastly, decreased insurance premiums are typically linked to lower risk profiles within the insured population, and a higher death rate would usually lead to higher risk, resulting in increased premiums rather than decreased ones. This demonstrates how mortality rates affect life expectancy and the broader implications for society.