Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Social attributes such as differences in income and race/ethnicity make a difference in how likely Americans are to be healthy, sick or die prematurely, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As of 2007, white men were two to three times more likely to die in motor vehicle crashes than white women, this gender difference was similar in other ethnic groups as well.
Men of all ages and ethnicities were also found to be four times more likely to die by suicide than females.
The rates of preventable hospitalizations increase as incomes decrease. Data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality indicate that eliminating these preventable visits would prevent approximately 1 million hospitalizations and save $6.7 billion in health care costs each year.
The rates of drug-induced deaths were highest among non-Hispanic whites (42 per 100,000) and lowest among Asian/Pacific Islanders (2.0 per 100,000).
Rates of adolescent pregnancy and childbirth have been falling or staying the same for all racial minorities in all age groups. However, in 2008, disparities persisted as birth rates for Hispanic adolescents, at 77.4 per 1,000 females, and non-Hispanic black adolescents at 62.9 per 1,000 females were as much as three times those of whites (26.7 per 1,000).
In 2009 the prevalence of binge drinking was higher in groups with incomes of $50,000 or above (18.5 percent) compared to those with incomes of $15,000 or less (12.1 percent). However, people who binge drink and have less than $15,000 income binge drink more frequently (4.9 versus 3.6 episodes) and, when they do binge drink, drink more heavily (7.1 versus 6.5 drinks).
“Better information about the health status of different groups is essential to improve health. This first of its kind analysis and reporting of recent trends is designed to spur action and accountability at the federal, tribal, state and local levels to achieve health equity in this country,” said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.
Free. 116 pages. www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/other/su6001.pdf
