What is the absolute difference in mortality between depressed and non-depressed?

What is the absolute difference in mortality between depressed and non-depressed?

• A. 1.6 percentage points
• B. 20.0 percentage points
• C. 15.0 percentage points
• D. 10.6 percentage points

Answer: (D)

The key idea is the absolute risk difference in mortality between two groups. This measures how much more (or less) likely death is in the depressed group compared with the non-depressed group, expressed in percentage points. To get it, you subtract the mortality rate of the non-depressed group from the mortality rate of the depressed group, and take the absolute value. If the data show mortality in the depressed group is 28.0% and in the non-depressed group 17.4%, the difference is 28.0% − 17.4% = 10.6 percentage points. That exactly matches the given value, and it’s a straightforward subtraction of two percentages rather than a ratio. So the correct choice reflects this direct difference in mortality rates, not a relative measure like a risk ratio or a percentage change. The other options would indicate smaller or larger gaps than what the data show.

The key idea is the absolute risk difference in mortality between two groups. This measures how much more (or less) likely death is in the depressed group compared with the non-depressed group, expressed in percentage points. To get it, you subtract the mortality rate of the non-depressed group from the mortality rate of the depressed group, and take the absolute value.

If the data show mortality in the depressed group is 28.0% and in the non-depressed group 17.4%, the difference is 28.0% − 17.4% = 10.6 percentage points. That exactly matches the given value, and it’s a straightforward subtraction of two percentages rather than a ratio.

So the correct choice reflects this direct difference in mortality rates, not a relative measure like a risk ratio or a percentage change. The other options would indicate smaller or larger gaps than what the data show.