OBJECTIVES: We estimated how many deaths would be averted if the entire population of Virginia experienced the mortality rates of the 5 most affluent counties or cities. METHODS: Using census data and vital statistics for the years 1990 through 2006, we applied the mortality rates of the 5 counties/cities with the highest median household income to the populations of all counties and cities in the state. RESULTS: If the mortality rates of the reference population had applied to the entire state, 24.3% of deaths in Virginia from 1990 through 2006 (range = 21.8%-28.1%) would not have occurred. An annual mean of 12 954 deaths would have been averted (range = 10 548-14 569), totaling 220 211 deaths from 1990 through 2006. In some of the most disadvantaged areas of the state, nearly half of deaths would have been averted. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable conditions that exist in areas with high household incomes exert a major influence on mortality rates. The corollary-that health suffers when society is exposed to economic stresses-is especially timely amid the current recession. Further research must clarify the extent to which individual-level factors (e.g., earnings, education, race, health insurance) and community characteristics can improve health outcomes.
OBJECTIVES: We estimated how many deaths would be averted if the entire population of Virginia experienced the mortality rates of the 5 most affluent counties or cities. METHODS: Using census data and vital statistics for the years 1990 through 2006, we applied the mortality rates of the 5 counties/cities with the highest median household income to the populations of all counties and cities in the state. RESULTS: If the mortality rates of the reference population had applied to the entire state, 24.3% of deaths in Virginia from 1990 through 2006 (range = 21.8%-28.1%) would not have occurred. An annual mean of 12 954 deaths would have been averted (range = 10 548-14 569), totaling 220 211 deaths from 1990 through 2006. In some of the most disadvantaged areas of the state, nearly half of deaths would have been averted. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable conditions that exist in areas with high household incomes exert a major influence on mortality rates. The corollary-that health suffers when society is exposed to economic stresses-is especially timely amid the current recession. Further research must clarify the extent to which individual-level factors (e.g., earnings, education, race, health insurance) and community characteristics can improve health outcomes.
Authors: Robert A Hahn; Scott F Wetterhall; George A Gay; Dorothy S Harshbarger; Carol A Burnett; Roy Gibson Parrish; Richard J Orend Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2002 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 2.792
Authors: David H Rehkopf; Lorna T Haughton; Jarvis T Chen; Pamela D Waterman; S V Subramanian; Nancy Krieger Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2006-06-29 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Nancy Krieger; Jarvis T Chen; Pamela D Waterman; David H Rehkopf; S V Subramanian Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2005-02 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Tsu-Yu Tsao; Kevin J Konty; Gretchen Van Wye; Oxiris Barbot; James L Hadler; Natalia Linos; Mary T Bassett Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2016-04-14 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Jan D Reinhardt; Ulrich Mansmann; Bernd A G Fellinghauer; Ralf Strobl; Eva Grill; Erik von Elm; Gerold Stucki Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2010-12-17 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: Jennie L Hill; Nicole C Olive; Clarice N Waters; Paul A Estabrooks; Wen You; Jamie M Zoellner Journal: Prev Chronic Dis Date: 2015-03-26 Impact factor: 2.830