The Changing Face of Aging in America
Summary
TLDRThe video highlights research by longevity expert Jay Olshansky, revealing stark disparities in life expectancy between highly educated and less educated populations in the U.S. Olshansky explains that while life expectancy has generally increased, less educated groups, particularly black men and women, are experiencing declines, living as if they were in the mid-20th century. The research, funded by the MacArthur Foundation, stresses that education is a key factor in longevity, and Olshansky warns that without addressing these educational gaps, some populations will be left behind in the next 'longevity revolution.'
Takeaways
- 📚 Education is strongly linked to life expectancy, with higher education correlating with longer lives.
- 🧑🏫 There are two distinct groups in America: one highly educated group experiencing rapid increases in life expectancy and another less educated group facing stagnation or declines.
- 📉 Some subgroups of the less educated population are seeing actual drops in life expectancy.
- 📊 The research shows stark disparities between different races and education levels, with highly educated white men living about 14 years longer than the least educated black men.
- 👩🦳 For women, the least educated black women live about 10 years less than the most educated white women.
- ⏳ A one-year difference in life expectancy is significant, but a 10- or 14-year gap is staggering.
- 🕰️ Americans with less than a high school education have life expectancies similar to adults living in the 1950s and 60s.
- 🚶♂️ The least educated black men and women are living as though they were in 1954 and 1962, respectively.
- 🏃♀️ Despite advancements in health care and longevity, the less educated are being left behind.
- 🎓 Lifelong education is seen as one of the most important ways to close the longevity gap in the upcoming ‘longevity revolution’.
Q & A
What are the two groups in America that Jay Olshansky identifies regarding life expectancy?
-Jay Olshansky identifies one group that is highly educated and experiencing a rapid increase in life expectancy, and another group that is less educated and seeing poor outcomes, with some even experiencing a decline in life expectancy.
How does education impact life expectancy according to the research?
-The research finds that more education is associated with longer life expectancy, with highly educated individuals living significantly longer than less educated individuals.
What is the difference in life expectancy between the most educated white men and the least educated black men in the U.S.?
-The most educated white men live about 14 years longer than the least educated black men in the U.S.
How do life expectancy disparities affect women according to the study?
-The study found that the least educated black women live about 10 years less than the most educated white women.
Why is a 10- or 14-year difference in life expectancy significant?
-A one-year difference in life expectancy is considered huge, so a 10- or 14-year difference is described as being 'beyond belief,' showing a significant gap in health outcomes.
What are the main factors that the researchers associated with life expectancy in their study?
-The researchers looked at life expectancy in relation to race, sex, and education, which are often linked to socioeconomic status, income, and access to healthcare.
What does the research say about Americans with less than a high school education?
-The research states that Americans with less than a high school education in 2008 had life expectancies similar to adults in the 1950s and 1960s.
What historical comparison does Jay Olshansky make regarding life expectancy for the least educated groups?
-Olshansky compares the least educated black men and women to living in the years 1954 and 1962 respectively, while the least educated white women are compared to living in 1964, and the least educated white men in 1972.
What future trend does Olshansky predict regarding longevity?
-Olshansky predicts another 'longevity revolution' is coming soon, but warns that some groups may be left behind if the current disparities are not addressed.
What solution does the research suggest to reduce disparities in life expectancy?
-The research suggests that lifelong education could be one of the most important ways to address large disparities in life expectancy.
Outlines
📊 Two Americas: Education and Life Expectancy Divide
Jay Olshansky discusses the stark division in life expectancy between highly educated and less educated subgroups in the U.S. He highlights that the former group is experiencing rapid increases in life expectancy, while the latter is facing stagnation or even decline, particularly among some subgroups.
🎓 Education Equals Longer Life
Research led by longevity expert Jay Olshansky suggests that education is closely linked to life expectancy. Higher education leads to longer life, and this has been a consistent trend over the past few decades, although some less educated subgroups have seen a decline in life expectancy.
📉 Subgroup Differences in Life Expectancy
The study looked at factors like race, sex, and education, often linked to socioeconomic status and access to healthcare. A striking difference was found, with highly educated white men living about 14 years longer than the least educated black men. A similar but smaller gap was seen for women.
💡 Shocking Gaps in Life Expectancy
Olshansky emphasizes the gravity of the disparities in life expectancy, describing a 10- to 14-year gap as almost 'beyond belief.' A one-year difference in life expectancy is considered significant, making these large gaps particularly alarming.
📚 MacArthur Foundation and Life Expectancy Research
Research funded by the MacArthur Foundation revealed two distinct populations in America: the highly educated, who are thriving with rising life expectancy, and the less educated, who are struggling and in some cases, facing declining longevity.
🏥 Life Expectancy Falling for the Least Educated
Despite advancements in healthcare, Americans without a high school diploma in 2008 had life expectancies similar to those of adults in the 1950s and 60s. This regression suggests that less educated Americans are being left behind.
🕰️ A Time Warp for the Least Educated
Olshansky likens the situation for the least educated to being in a 'time warp,' with black men and women living in conditions reminiscent of the 1950s and 60s, while their white counterparts are stuck in the 1960s and 70s in terms of life expectancy.
🚀 A New Longevity Revolution on the Horizon
Olshansky predicts an upcoming 'longevity revolution' that could further widen the gap between the highly educated and the less educated. He stresses the importance of lifelong education to ensure that all subgroups benefit from the advances in health and technology.
🎥 Conclusion: Lifelong Education is Key
The report concludes with Olshansky's belief that education is a crucial factor in addressing disparities in life expectancy. While medical advancements hold great promise, ensuring equal access to education is essential to improving longevity for all subgroups in society.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Life expectancy
💡Education
💡Longevity revolution
💡Socioeconomic status
💡Health disparities
💡Race and ethnicity
💡Biomedical technology
💡MacArthur Foundation Research Network
💡Access to healthcare
💡Lifelong education
Highlights
Two distinct subgroups in America: one highly educated with increasing life expectancy, another less educated experiencing poor outcomes.
Education plays a major role in longevity, with more education linked to longer life expectancy.
Longevity improvements overall in recent decades, but certain subgroups are seeing a decline in life expectancy.
Study examines life expectancy by race, sex, and education, which are often tied to socioeconomic status, income, and healthcare access.
Highly educated white men live about 14 years longer than least educated black men in the U.S.
Least educated black women live 10 years less than most educated white women.
A 1-year difference in life expectancy is considered significant, but a 10 to 14-year gap is astonishing.
Despite healthcare advances, Americans with less than a high school education in 2008 had life expectancies similar to those from the 1950s and 60s.
Certain less educated groups are living decades behind the rest of the population in terms of life expectancy.
Least educated black men have life expectancies equivalent to those in 1954, and least educated black women to 1962.
Least educated white women are living at life expectancy levels from 1964, while least educated white men are at 1972 levels.
The next 'longevity revolution' is expected soon, but it may leave behind some groups.
Lifelong education is a key solution to addressing large disparities in life expectancy.
The MacArthur Foundation Research Network funded the research, published in the journal 'Health Affairs.'
There is optimism for biomedical technology advancements, but it's essential that all segments of the population benefit from future longevity improvements.
Transcripts
[Jay Olshansky] There are essentially two Americas: one subgroup of the population that
is highly educated, experiencing an increase in life expectancy that is more rapid than
the average, and another subgroup of the population that is less educated, doing very poorly,
and for some subgroups, actually experiencing a drop in life expectancy.
[Narrator] Research conducted by noted longevity expert Jay Olshansky finds that more education
equals longer life.
[Olshansky] Overall in the last couple of decades, all longevity boats have risen.
Almost all longevity boats have risen - there have been some subgroups of the population
that have experienced a drop in life expectancy.
[Narrator] The researchers looked at life expectancy by race, sex and education, which
is often associated with socioeconomic status, income and access to health care.
[Olshansky] We found that the most highly educated white men live about 14 years longer
than the least educated black men in the United States.
For women, the least educated black women live about 10 years less than the most educated
white women.
Now, you have to realize the magnitude of this differential.
A one-year difference in life expectancy is huge.
A 10- or a 14-year difference in life expectancy is simply beyond belief.
[Narrator] The MacArthur Foundation Research Network on an Aging Society funded the research,
which is published in the journal "Health Affairs."
[Olshansky] What we have concluded with our MacArthur research is that are essentially
two Americas now: one subgroup of the population that is highly educated, doing extremely well,
and they're experiencing an increase in life expectancy that is more rapid than the average;
and another subgroup of the population that is less educated, doing very poorly, and for
some subgroups actually experiencing a drop in life expectancy.
[Narrator] Despite advances in health care and overall increases in longevity, Americans
with less than a high school education in 2008 had life expectancies similar to adults
in the 1950s and 60s.
It's as if Americans with the least education are living in a time warp.
[Olshansky] It's remarkable, that subgroups of the population are essentially a half a
century behind the rest of us.
[Narrator] The least educated black men are living in 1954; the least educated black women
in 1962.
The least educated white women are living in 1964, and the least educated white men
in 1972.
[Olshansky] We think that another longevity revolution is about to happen, and when this
longevity revolution happens, and we think it will be relatively soon, some people are
going to be left behind.
Perhaps one of the most important ways in which we can address these large disparities
is through lifelong education.
During a time in which we're extremely excited and optimistic about where biomedical technology
is taking us, we want to make sure that all boats rise, that all subgroups of the population
experience the benefits of this next longevity revolution.
[Narrator] This is Sherri McGinnis Gonzalez reporting for UIC News.
تصفح المزيد من مقاطع الفيديو ذات الصلة
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)