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Prevention

Removing Disparities in Health and Longevity

Persons with less education lose 9.2 years of potential life compared to persons with more education.

 Persons with a better education live significantly longer than those who have not finished high school. The University of California made a study of the primary causes of disparity in longevity, looking at education, race, and which health problems contributed the most towards early mortality. Here is what they found.

Education level. When adjusted for age, sex, and race, the number of potential life-years lost from all causes of death was 3.5 times greater for persons with less education than for persons with more education. In terms of actual years it was a difference of 9.2 years of life lost before age 75.

The primary diseases linked to less education were: heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and lung disease.

When adjusted for age, sex, and education level, the number of potential life-years lost from all causes of death for African Americans was 35% greater compared to white persons, or a difference of 1.8 years. It's interesting that the major cause of disparity in life expectancy is not race, per say, but differences in level of education. To reduce health disparities you also need to reduce education disparities.

The primary causes of death linked to race were: high blood pressure, HIV, diabetes, and homicide. Based on this information, the authors made these conclusions:

  • Given limited resources, the best strategy for eliminating health disparities for those with less education would by targeting heart disease and lung disease. Smoking would be an obvious key factor
  • The best strategy for reducing health disparities among African-Americans would be to target high blood pressure, HIV, trauma, and diabetes.

 

 

Reference

Wong MD, et al. Contribution of major diseases to disparities in mortality, New England Journal of Medicine, Nov. 14, 2002; 347:1585-92


Making Healthy Choices articles are written by Don Hall, DrPH, CHES president of LifeLong Health with contributions from associated health professionals. Content is general health information from evidence based research. It's purpose is not to treat disease or take the place of advice by your doctor but to promote healthy lifestyles. Persons with health problems should contact their physician for specific guidance.

Copyrighted 2002 by PrevMedix LLC. All rights reserved. Do not make unauthorized copies.

Updated: 12/17/02