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State Level Differences in Life Expectancy and Lifespan Inequality: Is it a Matter of Socioeconomic Inequalities?

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Abstract

Lifespan inequality refers to the variation in the age at which people die or the uncertainty surrounding the time of their death. This study investigates the patterns of lifespan inequality at the state level in the United States over 55 years, utilising Theil's entropy index. We also explore the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with lifespan inequality using a Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) model. We observe a strong and statistically significant negative correlation between life expectancy and inequality in lifespan at the state level overall and for both males and females. In terms of demographic and socioeconomic factors, the percentage of individuals who have completed high school and college education, the percentage of the Hispanic population, the number of physicians, the percentage of individuals under 65 with insurance, and population growth are all negatively associated with lifespan inequality. Moreover, there is a positive association between lifespan inequality and the rates of violent crime, CO2 emissions per capita, cigarette smoking, and income inequality. Our results reiterate that policies aimed at tackling disparities in socioeconomic position could also serve as useful strategies for addressing health disparities.

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  • M.D.J.W. Wijesinghe & Michael P. Cameron & Susan Olivia & Les Oxley, 2024. "State Level Differences in Life Expectancy and Lifespan Inequality: Is it a Matter of Socioeconomic Inequalities?," Working Papers in Economics 24/09, University of Waikato.
    • Handle: RePEc:wai:econwp:24/09
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    1. M.D.J.W. Wijesinghe & Michael P. Cameron & Susan Olivia & Les Oxley, 2025. "A tale of three pandemics: Impacts on life expectancy and lifespan inequality," Working Papers in Economics 25/02, University of Waikato.

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    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J19 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Other

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