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Longevity study confirms 'Latino Paradox': poor in wealth, rich in health
San Jose Mercury News ^ | 10/14/2010 | Lisa M. Krieger

Posted on 10/25/2010 10:54:40 AM PDT by neverdem

The first-ever national study of Latino life expectancy reveals that Latinos in the United States live 2.5 years longer than their white counterparts -- a poor-in-wealth, rich-in-health paradox that mystifies doctors.

A Latino baby in the U.S. will live to the average age of 80.6 years, compared with 78.1 years for a white baby, according to the new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, released Wednesday.

"This is surprising because of low social status," said Elizabeth Arias, of the CDC. Based on rates of poverty, education and access to care -- factors long known to be linked to poor health -- Latinos should have shorter lives, she said.

There is even a wider gap between Latinos and blacks, who have a life expectancy of 72.9 years. Asians were not included in the study.

The so-called "Latino Paradox" was first noted in small studies in the 1970s by researchers looking at death rates in California and Texas. But many others have long called the data wrong or anomalous.

The new study ends the dispute, by correcting for previous errors in its vast analysis of more reliable data from the official National Center for Health Statistics. This long-awaited proof means that scientists can now start solving the mystery.

The phenomenon could have major significance for California -- where, since late 2001, more than 50 percent of the babies born have been Latino. When these babies reach adulthood, they will, by sheer force of numbers, influence the health, wellness and perhaps medical economics of the Golden State.

"Something in the Latino culture seems...,"

--snip--

The full report is available at www.cdc.gov/nchs.

--snip--

Life expectancy at birth

Average U.S. population: 77.7 years in 2006
Latino population: 80.6 years
White population: 78.1 years
Black population: 72.9 years

(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Testing
KEYWORDS: diet; health; latinoparadox; longevity; morbidity; mortality
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To: Kenny Bunk

Should’ve been more clear, but I was replying to post #7 re Italians.


21 posted on 10/25/2010 11:43:50 AM PDT by workerbee (We're not scared, Maobama -- we're pissed off!)
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To: neverdem

It’s simply due to the fact that Latinos get much more regular exercise than gringos: Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, etc...


22 posted on 10/25/2010 12:02:14 PM PDT by Ozone34 ("There are only two philosophies: Thomism and bullshitism!" -Leon Bloy)
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To: reagandemocrat

You took the words right out of my mouth. Faith and family. Close connections with others are so important to life expectancy.


23 posted on 10/25/2010 12:12:37 PM PDT by Paved Paradise
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To: neverdem

More exercise.


24 posted on 10/25/2010 12:21:09 PM PDT by dangerdoc (see post #6)
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To: xtinct

There’s a huge bunch of Indians in Mexico who speak a 5 tone language. It’s supposedly not related to any of the East Asian tonal languages.


25 posted on 10/25/2010 1:07:14 PM PDT by muawiyah ("GIT OUT THE WAY" The Republicans are coming)
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