Summary The Case/Deaton study on life expectancy in the US misses the true causes - Vox www.vox.com
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Economists Deaton and Case found that death rates are increasing among white high school dropouts in the US due to geographical factors and cardiovascular disease, suggesting that policymakers should prioritize reducing cardiovascular deaths among the poorest, least-educated Americans.
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Key Points
- The Case/Deaton study focuses on the divide in premature death between high school dropouts and everyone else, rather than between college grads and non-grads.
- The study highlights deaths of despair as a major issue among non-Hispanic whites, indicating a problem with how American society treats marginalized citizens.
- The divide between college grads and non-grads does not seem to be the main cause of the mortality gap; it is more concentrated in specific areas of the US.
- Stagnating progress against cardiovascular disease is a significant contributor to the mortality gap, suggesting a need to focus on heart disease and the American underclass.
- The divide between college grads and non-grads has changed over time, with a rising education level leading to a different demographic composition in both groups.
Summaries
43 word summary
Economists Deaton and Case studied US life expectancy, focusing on the divide between college grads and non-grads. Death rates rise among white high school dropouts due to geographical factors and cardiovascular disease. Policymakers should target reducing cardiovascular deaths among the poorest, least-educated Americans.
76 word summary
Economists Deaton and Case studied life expectancy in the US, focusing on the disparity between college graduates and non-graduates. Deaths of despair among non-Hispanic whites are highlighted, but other researchers argue the divide is between high school dropouts and the rest of the country. Death rates have been rising among white high school dropouts, with geographical factors and cardiovascular disease playing significant roles. Policymakers should target approaches to reduce cardiovascular deaths among the poorest, least-educated Americans.
154 word summary
Economists Angus Deaton and Anne Case conducted a study on life expectancy in the United States, focusing on the disparity in premature death between college graduates and non-graduates. They highlight deaths of despair among non-Hispanic whites, while other researchers argue that the divide is between high school dropouts and the rest of the country, with cardiovascular disease being the main cause of the divergence in death rates. The study gained attention due to the decline in life expectancy during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it's important to note that the divide between college grads and non-grads has changed over time. Further research shows that death rates have been rising among white high school dropouts, emphasizing the concentration of the problem in this group. Geographical factors and cardiovascular disease also play significant roles in the variation of mortality rates. Policymakers should focus on targeted approaches to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease among the poorest, least-educated Americans.
385 word summary
A recent study by economists Angus Deaton and Anne Case examines life expectancy in the United States, focusing on the divide in premature death between college graduates and non-graduates. They highlight deaths of despair among non-Hispanic whites, including suicide, opioid overdoses, and alcohol-related causes. However, other researchers argue that the divide is actually between high school dropouts and the rest of the country, with cardiovascular disease being the main cause of the divergence in death rates.
The study by Deaton and Case has gained attention due to recent events, such as the decline in life expectancy during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it's worth noting that the divide between college grads and non-grads has changed over time, with a larger share of the population now having a college degree. This means that comparing mortality rates between these two groups may not accurately reflect the true causes of premature death.
Further research by economists Novosad, Rafkin, and Asher focuses specifically on the least-educated 10 percent of Americans. They find that death rates have been rising among white high school dropouts, while staying relatively constant for Black men. This suggests that the problem is highly concentrated among high school dropouts, rather than all non-college grads.
Geographical factors also play a significant role in the divide in mortality rates. In heavily urban areas with higher education levels, the relationship between income and death rates is less pronounced compared to more rural, less-educated areas. Factors such as smoking rates and exercise levels also contribute to the variation in death rates between cities.
The researchers emphasize the role of cardiovascular disease in the overall life expectancy problem in the US. While deaths of despair have contributed to rising mortality rates, the stagnation of progress against cardiovascular disease is a major factor. The decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease has stalled, making it a significant cause of mortality in the US.
In conclusion, while the study by Deaton and Case sheds light on the divide in premature death in the US, it's important to consider other factors such as high school dropout rates and geographical variations. The main cause of the divergence in death rates appears to be cardiovascular disease rather than deaths of despair. Policymakers should focus on targeted approaches to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease among the poorest, least-educated Americans.
452 word summary
A recent study by economists Angus Deaton and Anne Case on life expectancy in the United States has been receiving attention. The study focuses on the divide in premature death between college graduates and non-graduates, particularly highlighting deaths of despair (suicide, opioid overdoses, and alcohol-related causes) among non-Hispanic whites. However, other researchers argue that the divide is not between college grads and non-grads, but rather between high school dropouts and the rest of the country. They also suggest that the main cause of the divergence in death rates is not deaths of despair, but rather cardiovascular disease.
The study by Deaton and Case has gained renewed attention due to recent events such as the decline in life expectancy in the US as a whole during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it is important to note that the divide between college grads and non-grads has changed over time, with a larger share of the population now having a college degree. This means that comparing mortality rates between these two groups may not accurately reflect the true causes of premature death.
Further research by economists Novosad, Rafkin, and Asher focuses specifically on the least-educated 10 percent of Americans and their mortality rates. They find that death rates have been rising among white high school dropouts, while staying relatively constant for Black men. This suggests that the problem is highly concentrated among high school dropouts, rather than all non-college grads.
Geographical factors also play a significant role in the divide in mortality rates. Research by economists Chetty and others shows that while rich people tend to live longer than poor people in general, this is less true in heavily urban areas with higher education levels. In more rural, less-educated areas, there is a stronger relationship between income and death rates. Factors such as smoking rates and exercise levels also contribute to the variation in death rates between cities.
The researchers also highlight the role of cardiovascular disease in the overall life expectancy problem in the US. While deaths of despair, such as drug overdoses, suicides, and alcoholism, have contributed to rising mortality rates, the stagnation of progress against cardiovascular disease is a major factor. The decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease has stalled, and this is a significant cause of mortality in the US.
In conclusion, while the study by Deaton and Case sheds light on the divide in premature death in the US, it is important to consider other factors such as high school dropout rates and geographical variations. The main cause of the divergence in death rates appears to be cardiovascular disease rather than deaths of despair. Policymakers should focus on targeted approaches to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease among the poorest, least-educated Americans.