[Marxism] Mortality rate higher for Blacks REGARDLESS OF INCOME

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2004
CONTACT:
Jason Elsky
Seigenthaler Public Relations
615-327-7999
jason@xxxxxxxxxxx

MORE AFRICAN AMERICANS THAN NON-HISPANIC WHITES LIKELY TO DIE REGARDLESS
OF SIMILAR ECONOMIC FACTORS

New Study Shows Health Disparities Closely Tied to Race

Nashville, TN - Death rates among African Americans are higher than
rates among non-Hispanic whites even when all other factors -- such as
gender, age and neighborhood poverty level -- are the same, according to
a study in the November issue of the Journal of Health Care for the Poor
and Underserved (JHCPU), published by Meharry Medical College.

The 3-year study entitled Neighborhood Poverty, Mortality Rates, and
Excess Deaths Among African Americans: Philadelphia 1999-2001, conducted
by Jessica M. Robbins, Ph.D., and David A. Webb, Ph.D., examines vital
statistics and census data for the city of Philadelphia between 1999 and
2001. The results report the following:

The mortality rate among African Americans surpassed that of
non-Hispanic whites of the same gender and age by 5,305. The mortality
rate among African Americans surpassed that of non-Hispanic whites of
the same gender, age and neighborhood poverty level by 1,944.

This study reveals the alarming relationship between racial and economic
disparities in the United States, says Virginia Brennan, Ph.D., editor
of Meharry's JHCPU. African American men and women in this nation are
suffering more than other groups who endure the same deprivations, and
we need to find out why. This research should be a wake-up call that
leads us to improve health care conditions for African Americans in
poverty.

According to the study, the significant increases in African American
mortality rates appear to be the result of socioeconomic factors that
force large numbers of blacks into poverty.

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of data without drawing
conclusions about the reasons the health of African Americans was
markedly poorer than that of whites in the same economic sphere. Among
its specific findings were:

* Among African American women, mortality rates in the highest poverty
neighborhoods were 27 percent higher than in the lowest poverty
neighborhoods.

* Among African American men, mortality rates in the highest poverty
neighborhoods were 45 percent higher than in the lowest poverty
neighborhoods.

* The largest number of excess deaths among African Americans occurred
in the 45- to- 84 year age range.

* In the corresponding age group among non-Hispanic whites, 1,678 fewer
females died and 2,298 fewer males died during the same time period.

About the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
The JHCPU was first published in 1988 and is devoted to research on
social issues affecting the poor and medically underserved. The
Journal's goal is to disseminate to health care practitioners, policy
makers and community leaders information on health status and health
care in low income and other medically underserved communities. The
Journal is published quarterly by Meharry Medical College.
About Meharry Medical College
Meharry Medical College is the nation's largest private, independent
historically black institution dedicated solely to educating health
science professionals. The College is particularly well known for its
uniquely nurturing, highly effective educational programs; preeminence
in health disparities research; culturally sensitive, evidence-based
health services; and significant contribution to the diversity of the
nation's health professions workforce. Black Issues in Higher
Education's ranking of institutions annually lists Meharry as a leading
national educator of African Americans with M.D. and D.D.S. degrees and
Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences.
www.mmc.edu <http://www.mmc.edu/>

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