State Level Differences in Life Expectancy and Lifespan Inequality: Is it a Matter of Socioeconomic Inequalities?

M.D.J.W. Wijesinghe (), Michael Cameron, Susan Olivia and Les Oxley ()
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M.D.J.W. Wijesinghe: University of Waikato, https://www.waikato.ac.nz/about/faculties-schools/management/
Les Oxley: University of Waikato, https://www.waikato.ac.nz/about/faculties-schools/management/

Working Papers in Economics from University of Waikato

Abstract: Lifespan inequality refers to the variation in the age at which people die or the uncertainty surrounding the time of their death. This study investigates the patterns of lifespan inequality at the state level in the United States over 55 years, utilising Theil's entropy index. We also explore the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with lifespan inequality using a Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) model. We observe a strong and statistically significant negative correlation between life expectancy and inequality in lifespan at the state level overall and for both males and females. In terms of demographic and socioeconomic factors, the percentage of individuals who have completed high school and college education, the percentage of the Hispanic population, the number of physicians, the percentage of individuals under 65 with insurance, and population growth are all negatively associated with lifespan inequality. Moreover, there is a positive association between lifespan inequality and the rates of violent crime, CO2 emissions per capita, cigarette smoking, and income inequality. Our results reiterate that policies aimed at tackling disparities in socioeconomic position could also serve as useful strategies for addressing health disparities.

Keywords: Lifespan inequality; Theil index; Socioeconomic inequality; United States (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I14 I18 J19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 29 pages
Date: 2024-11-28
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dem
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wai:econwp:24/09

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