Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on March 10, 2012 at 3:16pm

Thanks for the article.

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Simeone on April 3, 2012 at 12:06pm

Sentient Biped,

 

You certainly come up with some very thought-provoking topics. I really enjoy your groups.

 

As for the topic at hand, I currently believe that there are physical differences between the races that could affect life expectancy; however, we cannot overlook the role that poverty plays in life expectancy. Poor whites have a shorter life expectancy than do wealthy whites. I’m guessing that the same is true in the black community as well. I would also guess that the additional stresses that black people are still forced to endure because of the discrimination they face cause wealthy blacks to have a shorter life expectancy than do wealthy whites. It would be interesting to find out if there’s any scientific data to prove or disprove my beliefs.  

Permalink Reply by Sentient Biped on April 3, 2012 at 9:10pm

Thank you.  I post on things that I like to explore and think about.

*

These studies are sadly incomplete.  Like your thoughts, my impression is that life expectancy is less dependent on race/ethnicity than it is on socioeconomic and regional issues. A really thorough analysis would parse out the effects of locale, life style, diet, local crime, incarceration rates, pregnancy rates, joblessness and availability of medical care, etc.  For example, remembering that distribution of HIV is very much affected by ethnicity, and that is not genetic.  I don't think there is any good evidence that race/ethnicity by itself affects life expectancy, but I could be wrong.