I read this interesting article in the New York Times. The article is about the widening gap in life expectancy between Americans of different races and socioeconomic levels.
The article gives a great definition of life expectancy, which is “the average number of years of life remaining for people who have attained a given age.”
It is widely know that the gap between the haves and have-nots in America is increasing. However, I always thought this was limited to salary, income, and net worth. The United States is the richest country in the world and we supposedly have the best health care to go along with that. So, why should the life expectancy be so different?
The Problem
The researchers have a few explanations. They attribute the differences to education, health insurance, and racism.
Educated Americans:
- Have more money
- Smoke less
- Live in better neighborhoods
- Engage is fewer risky behaviors
- Engage in fewer unhealthy behaviors
- Have better health literacy
- Are more likely to look for health information online
- Are more assertive in regards to their health
- Are more compliant with medical treatments
Americans with Health Insurance are:
- More likely to attempt disease prevention strategies
- More likely to get check-ups
- More likely to have regular screening tests
- More likely to get and use prescription drugs
- More likely to have a disease diagnosed early
Americans in Minority Groups:
- Get less aggressive care
- Are given less medical information from health care workers
- Are assumed to be “less appropriate candidates” for certain procedures
The Solution
All Americans can increase their life expectancy regardless of their socioeconomic level, race, or health insurance status. While the income gap and the life expectancy gap is widening, the information access gap is narrowing. If you are reading this post, you obviously have Internet access. The World Wide Web can provide you with most of the health information you need. With a few simple lifestyle changes, we can all live into our hundreds.
Action Plan
- Get your health information from quality sites, such as WebMD and Mayo Clinic
- Get your age and sex appropriate screening test done ASAP
- Stop smoking
- Stop having unprotected sex
- Adopt a healthy nutrition and activity plan, such as the Don't Go Broke Weight Loss Plan.
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