Wealth, Race, and Mortality

TitleWealth, Race, and Mortality
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2003
AuthorsBond, SA, Krueger, PM, Rogers, RG, Hummer, RA
JournalSocial Science Quarterly
Volume84
Issue3
Pagination667-684
Call Numberpubs_2003_Bond_03.pdf
KeywordsDemographics, Health Conditions and Status, Net Worth and Assets
Abstract

Objective. We explore, first, whether wealth relates to mortality risk independent of income and education, and second, whether wealth closes the black-white gap in U.S. adult mortality while controlling for other socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors. Methods. We employ the Cox proportional hazards models on data from the 1992 wave of the Health and Retirement Study linked to deaths through 1998, to analyze pre-retirement adult mortality in the United States. Results. The findings suggest that broader measures of SES, including wealth, are significant for understanding adult mortality. Further, vastly lower asset holdings among blacks, compared to whites, not only affects their financial wellbeing but also their survival prospects. Conclusions. Research and social policies that aim to understand and close health disparities in the United States may be poorly conceived if they ignore the impact of wealth on premature adult mortality.

DOI10.1111/1540-6237.8403011
Endnote Keywords

Racial Differences/Socioeconomic Status/Mortality/Wealth

Endnote ID

11942

Citation Key6870