Explaining the spatial variation in American life expectancy

Elizabeth A. Dobis, Heather M. Stephens, Mark Skidmore and Stephan J. Goetz

Social Science & Medicine, 2020, vol. 246, issue C

Abstract: Since 1980, average life expectancy in the United States has increased by roughly five years; however, in recent years it has been declining. At the same time, spatial variation in life expectancy has been growing. To explore reasons for this trend, some researchers have focused on morbidity factors, while others have focused on how mortality trends differ by personal characteristics. However, the effect community characteristics may play in expanding the spatial heterogeneity has not yet been fully explored. Using a spatial Durbin error model, we explore how community and demographic factors influence county-level life expectancy in 2014, controlling for life expectancy in 1980 and migration over time, and analyzing men and women separately. We find that community characteristics are important in determining life expectancy and that there may be a role for policy makers in addressing factors that are associated with lower life expectancy in some regions.

Keywords: United States; Life expectancy; Community; Spatial variation; Spatial analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 R12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112759

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