International Differences in Mortality at Older Ages : Dimensions and Sources

by Crimmins, Eileen M.; Preston, Samuel H.; Cohen, Barney

• ISBN13: 9780309157339
• ISBN10: 0309157331
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-12-31
• Publisher: Natl Academy Pr

Summary

In 1950, men and women in the United States had a combined life expectancy of 68.9 years, the 12th highest life expectancy at birth in the world. Today, life expectancy is up to 79.2 years, yet the country is now only 28th highest, behind the United Kingdom, Korea, Canada, and France, among others. The United States does have higher rates of infant mortality and violent deaths than in other developed countries, but these factors do not fully account for the country's relatively poor ranking in life expectancy. International Differences in Mortality at Older Ages: Dimensions and Sources examines patterns in international differences in life expectancy above age 50 and assesses the evidence and arguments that have been advanced to explain the poor position of the United States relative to other countries. The papers in this deeply researched volume identify gaps in measurement, data, theory, and research design and pinpoint areas for future high-priority research in this area. In addition to examining the differences in mortality around the world, the papers in International Differences in Mortality at Older Ages look at health factors and life-style choices commonly believed to contribute to the observed international differences in life expectancy. They also identify strategic opportunities for health-related interventions. This book offers a wide variety of disciplinary and scholarly perspectives to the study of mortality, and it offers in-depth analyses that can serve health professionals, policy makers, statisticians, and researchers.

Table of Contents

Introduction and Overview	p. 1
Levels and Trends
Diverging Trends in Life Expectancy at Age 50: A Look at Causes of Death	p. 17
Are International Differences in Health Similar to International Differences in Life Expectancy?	p. 68
Identifying Causal Explanations
Contribution of Smoking to International Differences in Life Expectancy	p. 105
Divergent Patterns of Smoking Across High-Income Nations	p. 132
Can Obesity Account for Cross-National Differences in Life Expectancy Trends?	p. 164
The Contribution of Physical Activity to Divergent Trends in Longevity	p. 193
Do Cross-Country Variations in Social Integration and Social Interactions Explain Differences in Life Expectancy in Industrialized Countries?	p. 217
The U.S. Health System
Low Life Expectancy in the United States: Is the Health Care System at Fault?	p. 259
Can Hormone Therapy Account for American Women's Survival Disadvantage?	p. 299
Inequality
Do Americans Have Higher Mortality Than Europeans at All Levels of the Education Distribution?: A Comparison of the United States and 14 European Countries	p. 313
Geographic Differences in Life Expectancy at Age 50 in the United States Compared with Other High-Income Countries	p. 333
International Case Studies
Renewed Progress in Life Expectancy: The Case of the Netherlands	p. 369
The Divergent Life-Expectancy Trends in Denmark and Sweden-and Some Potential Explanations	p. 385
Biographical Sketches of Contributors	p. 409
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