Avoidable mortality (AM) is an important indicator of health system performance. It is also an effective tool for evaluating the effectiveness of health measures and allocation of health resources. The concept development, analytical methods, and research contents of avoidable mortality are introduced in this study. This study investigated the applicability of avoidable mortality analysis in determining priority health-service intervention areas, determining priority health-service intervention populations and evaluating the quality of those services. This paper also discussed the significance and limitations of avoidable mortality analysis. The investigation provided references for further research and application of avoidable mortality analysis.