Indirect standardization is more appropriate for rare outcomes than direct standardization, resulting in the calculation of rates (McMichael and Giles, 1988). A limitation of this study is that we did not have access to information on potentially important risk factors such as lifestyle. Results for all causes of deaths were significantly lower compared to the autochthon German population. Overall SMR is reduced for the Aussiedler, therefore, they seem to be healthier or more resistant than the Germans and therefore they are much healthier than populations of countries from the FSU
