The current differential in black and white life expectancy
Keith, V.M.; Smith, D.P.
Demography 25(4): 625-632
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0070-3370 PMID: 3267543 DOI: 10.2307/2061326Document Number: 357624
The 1980 National Center for Health Statistics life tables for the U.S. black and white populations reveal a difference in life expectancy of 7 years between black and white males and 6 years between black and white females. Using cause-substituted life tables, we show that a number of causes of death contribute to the difference. The largest contributors are cardiovascular disease for both sexes and homicide and cancer for males.