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Title: Geographic Divergence in Mortality in the United States

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2013

Abstract: Life expectancy at birth in the United States (both sexes combined) rose from 70 years in 1965 to nearly 78 years in 2007. While this is a new milestone for low mortality among Americans, the United States lags significantly behind countries in Western Europe. Especially after age 50, mortality in the US remains substantially higher than in countries with similar levels of economic development, an unfavorable trend that has emerged in the past few decades (Crimmins, Preston, and Cohen 2010).1 Despite spending more per capita on health care than any other peer country, the health performance of the United States is comparatively poor, especially among older adults aged 50 to 80 (Ho and Preston 2010). A recent National Academy of Sciences panel was charged with identifying why US adult mortality is so high relative to its peers (Crimmins, Preston, and Cohen 2010). Although a number of causes were identified, the relatively poor health status of the United States remains a problem that American health policy has not sufficiently addressed.

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Authors: Fenelon, Andrew

Periodical (Full): Population and Development Review

Issue: 4

Volume: 39

Pages: 611-634

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Fertility and Mortality, Race and Ethnicity

Countries:

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