This article is about the measure of mortality risk. For the computer program, see Micromort (software).
A micromort (from micro- and mortality) is a unit of risk defined as a one-in-a-million chance of death.[1][2] Micromorts can be used to measure the riskiness of various day-to-day activities. A microprobability is a one-in-a million chance of some event; thus, a micromort is the microprobability of death. The micromort concept was introduced by Ronald A. Howard who pioneered the modern practice of decision analysis.[3]
Micromorts for future activities can only be rough assessments, as specific circumstances will always have an impact. However, past historical rates of events can be used to provide a rough estimate.
^Fry, A.M.; Harrison, A.; Daigneault, M. (February 2016). "Micromorts - what is the risk?". British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 54 (2): 230–231. doi:10.1016/j.bjoms.2015.11.023. PMID26747014.
^Howard, R. A. (1980). J. Richard; C. Schwing; Walter A. Albers (eds.). On making life and death decisions. Societal Risk Assessment: How Safe Is Safe Enough? General Motors Research Laboratories. New York: Plenum Press. ISBN0306405547.