SOC 340 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Genetic Predisposition, Psychological Stress, Cerebrovascular Disease
Document Summary
Social demography of health, gender, age and race. Between 1961 and 1983 no declines in life expectancy anywhere in the country. After 1983, the loss of longevity for females in certain low-income countries emerged and is counter to past trends. In preindustrial societies, life expectancy for men and women is similar. Since 1850, women made greater gains in life expectancy and today outlive men in all but a few countries. Changes in work and family circumstances in the 1970s and convergence between men and women in lifestyles mean the gap between men and women is narrowing. Male death rates still exceed those of females at all ages and for the leading causes of death such as heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular diseases (stroke), accidents and pneumonia. Male inferiority in life expectancy has both biological and social components: higher mortality rates even at the prenatal and neonatal stages, higher rates of accidents, aggressive and risky behavior and occupational stress.
