Read the following statements : (A) Specific death rate is the best measure of mortality for general purpose. (B) Standardized death rate is used to compare mortality rates of two regions. (C) The specific death rate ignores the factors of differential mortality. Which of the above statements are correct ? (1) Only (A) and (B) (2) Only (B) and (C) (3) Only (A) and (C) (4) All (A), (B) and (C)

Statement (A) is incorrect. The specific death rate, which is the death rate for a particular age group, sex, or cause of death, is not the best measure of mortality for general purposes. While useful for specific analyses, it doesn't provide an overall picture of population health compared to standardized rates. Statement (B) is correct. The standardized death rate is used to compare mortality rates between two regions or populations that may have different age structures. It adjusts for these differences, allowing for a more accurate comparison of underlying mortality risks. Statement (C) is correct. The specific death rate focuses on a particular segment of the population and thus inherently ignores the factors of differential mortality that exist across the entire population (like age distribution). Standardized rates address this by controlling for age structure.