Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries - Couverture souple

National Research Council; Division Of Behavioral And Social Sciences And Education; Committee On Population; Panel On Understanding Divergent Trends In Longevity In High-Income Countries

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0309186404 ISBN 13 : 9780309186407

Editeur : National Academies Press, 2011

Synopsis

During the past 25 years, life expectancy at age 50 in the United States has been rising, but at a slower pace than in many other high-income countries, such as Japan and Australia. This difference is particularly notable given that the United States spends more on health care than any other nation. Concerned about this divergence, the National Institute on Aging asked the National Research Council to examine evidence on its possible causes. According to Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries, the nation s history of heavy smoking is a major reason why lifespans in the United States fall short of those in many other high-income nations. Evidence suggests that current obesity levels play a substantial part as well. The book reports that lack of universal access to health care in the United States also increased mortality and reduced life expectancy, though this is a less significant factor for those over age 65 because of Medicare access. For the main causes of death at older ages - cancer and cardiovascular disease - available indicators do not suggest that the United States health care system is failing to prevent deaths that would be averted elsewhere. In fact, cancer detection and survival appear to be better in the United States than in most other high-income nations, and survival rates following a heart attack are also favorable. Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries identifies many gaps in research. For instance, while lung cancer deaths are a reliable marker of the damage from smoking, no clear-cut marker exists for obesity, physical inactivity, social integration, or other risks considered in this book. Moreover, evaluation of these risk factors is based on observational studies, which - unlike randomized controlled trials - are subject to many biases.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: National Academies Press
• Date d'édition: 2011
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0309186404
• ISBN 13: 9780309186407
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 194
• Éditeur: Cohen Barney, Preston Samuel H., Crimmins Eileen M.
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible