From convergence to divergence: Lifespan variation in US states, 1959-2017.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Large disparities in life expectancy exist across US states and the gaps have been widening in recent decades. Less is known about the lifespan variability - a measure that can provide important insights into mortality inequalities both between and within states.

Method

Using yearly lifetables from the United States Mortality Database, we explore geographic and temporal patterns in lifespan variation (unconditional and conditional on survival to age 10, 35 and 65) across US states between 1959 and 2017. We also examine the contribution of state differences in life expectancy to overall lifespan variation using standard decomposition techniques.

Results

Despite overall convergence in lifespan variation across states over the last six decades, in more recent

SUBMITTER: Xu W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8666353 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature