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Linking Changes in Inequality in Life Expectancy and Mortality: Evidence from Denmark and the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Gordon Dahl
  • Claus Thustrup Kreiner
  • Torben Heien Nielsen
  • Benjamin Ly Serena

Abstract

We decompose changing gaps in life expectancy between rich and poor into differential changes in age-specific mortality rates and differences in “survivability”. Declining age-specific mortality rates increases life expectancy, but the gain is small if the likelihood of living to this age is small (ex ante survivability) or if the expected remaining lifetime is short (ex post survivability). Lower survivability of the poor explains half of the recent rise in life expectancy inequality in the US and the entire rise in Denmark. Cardiovascular mortality declines favored the poor, but differences in lifestyle-related survivability led inequality to rise.

Suggested Citation

  • Gordon Dahl & Claus Thustrup Kreiner & Torben Heien Nielsen & Benjamin Ly Serena, 2020. "Linking Changes in Inequality in Life Expectancy and Mortality: Evidence from Denmark and the United States," NBER Working Papers 27509, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:27509
    Note: AG EH LS PE
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anne Case & Angus Deaton, 2017. "Mortality and Morbidity in the 21st Century," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 48(1 (Spring), pages 397-476.
    2. repec:nas:journl:v:115:y:2018:p:6440-6445 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Anne Case & Angua Deaton, 2015. "Rising morbidity and mortality in midlife among white non-Hispanic Americans in the 21st century," Working Papers 15078.full.pdf, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Research Program in Development Studies..
    4. repec:nas:journl:v:115:y:2018:p:11754-11759 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Eduardo Arriaga, 1984. "Measuring and explaining the change in life expectancies," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 21(1), pages 83-96, February.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts

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