Population data file is provided as an additional reference file when interpreting vital statistics death rates. The population data is derived from the corresponding release of the NCHS annual estimates of "Bridged Race Vintage" which are consistent with the Bureau of the Census estimates from "Vintage" (released in the summer). For more information, check out:
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/vital_statistics/. The "About" tab contains additional details concerning this dataset.