Life and death in the USA: New study concludes there are 'Eight...( w-income whites in Appalachia and the M...),Health

Many striking differences in life expectancy were found between the eight groups. In 2001, the life expectancy gap between the 3.4 million high-risk urban black males and the 5.6 million Asian females was nearly 21 years. Within the sexes, the life expectancy gap between the best-off and the worst-off groups was 15.4 years for males (Asians versus high-risk urban blacks) and 12.8 years for females (Asians versus low-income rural blacks in the South). These differences are as large as those observed between Japan, the nation with the best life expectancy, and many low-income developing countries. Chronic diseases like heart disease and injuries, much of which is preventable through known effective interventions, were mainly responsible for these differences. The gaps between best-off and worst-off were similar in 2001 to what they were in 1987.

Health 'inequalities' in the US are large by all international standards, and are showing no sign of reducing. The researchers say that social and economic reforms could help change the situation. However, the public health system should also improve the way in which it deals with risk factors for chronic diseases and injuries, particularly in order to help the groups with the highest death rates.

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Contact: Andrew Hyde
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Public Library of Science
11-Sep-2006