The gap in life span between rich and poor is increasing

[MillCreek]

http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/growing-gap-in-life-spans-separates-the-rich-and-poor/

Smoking and opiate use is higher amongst poor people, and this may account for some of the disparity.

[roo_ster]

http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/growing-gap-in-life-spans-separates-the-rich-and-poor/

Smoking and opiate use is higher amongst poor people, and this may account for some of the disparity.

Don;t forget diet & obesity.

Plus, we have been importing dirt poor ignorant masses by the millions.

[Perd Hapley]

Not this stuff again.




Ignore the fact that life expectancy is increasing for poor people, and ignore the fact that much of the gap is self-inflicted (smoking). Just ignore all of that.

[dogmush]

It's worth noting that both are still increasing.  The rich/powerful are just increasing faster.

Something tells me this is not actually a new phenomenon.  I bet the nobility lived longer than peasants in the Dark ages.  Ceasers (barring a knife in the back) lived longer then the Celts north of the wall. The strong Cave man with all the food and women live longer then the skinny one bringing him the food.  I'd almost bet money that a study of Gorillas shows that the Silverbacks live longer then the submissive males.

Almost like there's some biological drive to live as long as possible, and we all put a bunch of our resources into it.  And if you have more resources, you tend to be more successful.

[lupinus]

Well, I can't remember the last time I saw a guy in a suit head out to his brand new Mercedes after eating the motor oil fried special at the country ass gas station lunch counter.

So there could be something to it.

[lee n. field]

http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/growing-gap-in-life-spans-separates-the-rich-and-poor/

Smoking and opiate use is higher amongst poor people, and this may account for some of the disparity.

Who can afford to go the the doctor for any little thing, and who can't?

[Northwoods]

Who can afford to go the the doctor for any little thing, and who can't?

Given how many doctors kill their patients not going for every little thing might actually be an advantage.

[zahc]

But early diagnoses can have a profound impact on life expectancy, and that could impact the statistics a lot.

[brimic]

How much of this is skewed by infant/small child mortality due to abuse,lack of care, violence, etc?