American inequality highlighted by 30-year gap in life expectancy

By Leonard Doyle in Washington
Thursday, 17 July 2008


The United States of America is becoming less united by the day. A 30-year gap now exists in the average life expectancy between Mississippi, in the Deep South, and Connecticut, in prosperous New England. Huge disparities have also opened up in income, health and education depending on where people live in the US, according to a report published yesterday.


The American Human Development Index has applied to the US an aid agency approach to measuring well-being – more familiar to observers of the Third World – with shocking results. The US finds itself ranked 42nd in global life expectancy and 34th in survival of infants to age. Suicide and murder are among the top 15 causes of death and although the US is home to just 5 per cent of the global population it accounts for 24 per cent of the world's prisoners.

Despite an almost cult-like devotion to the belief that unfettered free enterprise is the best way to lift Americans out of poverty, the report points to a rigged system that does little to lessen inequalities.

"The report shows that although America is one of the richest nations in the world, it is woefully behind when it comes to providing opportunity and choices to all Americans to build a better life," the authors said.

Some of its more shocking findings reveal that, in parts of Texas, the percentage of adults who pass through high school has not improved since the 1970s.

Asian-American males have the best quality of life and black Americans the lowest, with a staggering 50-year life expectancy gap between the two groups.

Despite the fact that the US spends roughly $5.2bn (£2.6bn) every day on health care, more per capita than any other nation in the world, Americans live shorter lives than citizens of every western European and Nordic country, bar Denmark..

Using official government statistics, the study points out that because American schools are funded primarily from local property taxes, rich districts get the best state education. The US has no federally mandated sick pay, paternity leave or annual paid vacation.

"Some Americans are living anywhere from 30 to 50 years behind others when it comes to issues we all care about: health, education and standard of living," said Sarah Burd-Sharps co-author of the report.

Although the US is one of the most powerful and rich nations in the world, the study concludes it is "woefully behind when it comes to providing opportunity and choices to all Americans to build a better life".

According to a United Nations human development report, the US is in 12th place in a league table of wealthy developed nations. Britain is ranked 16th.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/american-inequality-highlighted-by-30year-gap-in-life-expectancy-869736.html

I guess the income and status bias in this country DOES show up in certain areas. This article was very interesting.

This report illustates what everyone in the U.S. knows, but won't do anything about.

I belive everything but the lifespan.

I find that hard to believe.
30 yrs is a lot of difference.
Ive been to Miss and there are some pretty old farts there.

I believe it goes on averages which means that there can still be "old farts" just not as many as in the other areas.

I dont think the life span has to do with health care but more with stress. Have you looked at the Holidays and paid vacation they get in most of Europe? Way more than we do here. Even if you are 15 and work a part time job you still get the required yearly paid vacation. I think they also work 35 hour weeks in several places in Europe as well.

Not to mention those who at 15 work a part time job to help their single mom's make ends meet.
That can be very stressful while trying to get good enough grades to hopefully qualify for a scholarship because otherwise there is no way in hell they'll go to college!
Going to work or school for a week or more with a toothache because you cant afford to go to the dentist can be very stressful too. Not to mention having the flu and you cant get a Drs excuse to stay home (like you can afford that anyway) nor afford the outrageous price of over the counter meds!

OK dragoness, I can see how the number reaching old age can have a big impact on the avg.
I guess I wasnt thinking. Sorry