Socioeconomic determinants of white and black males' life expectancy differentials, 1980
Potter, L.B.
Demography 28(2): 303-321
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0070-3370 PMID: 2070901 DOI: 10.2307/2061282Document Number: 314238
Epidemiological transition theory suggests that two population existing under disparate socioeconomic conditions would have different life expectancies as the result of cause-of-death differences. The effect of racial socioeconomic differentials on the total racial life expectancy differential are examined as they act through specific cause-of-death differentials. Results suggest that residential isolation of blacks has a strong effect on the total life expectancy differential as it acts through the racial homicide differential. The racial unemployment difference also has a strong effect on the total differential as it acts through the racial heart disease differential. Implications of the findings for reducing life expectancy differentials are discussed.