Posted 10/08/2007

University researchers can advance improvement in life expectancy by sharing information, says USC's Keith Elder

A new Harvard University study finds South Carolina has the fifth worst life expectancy in the U.S., a finding with lessons for health researchers and state leaders, according to an Arnold School faculty member.

Tobacco, alcohol, obesity, high blood pressure, diet and physical inactivity are among the reasons why South Carolinians have an average life expectancy of 74.8 years, according to the study released Sept. 11.

The ranking has persisted for at least 20 years in spite of increasing efforts to deal with obvious health disparities between large and distinct racial and ethnic groups, the study notes.

These disparities are well-known in South Carolina, said Dr. Keith Elder, an assistant professor at the Arnold School.

Elder said that addressing the problem will require better communication between health researchers and state lawmakers.

“There is a disconnect between our finding and policies and programs that follow,” said Elder. “We haven’t done a good job of getting our research in the hands of those who are responsible for policies and programs that can reduce these disparities.”

A companion approach to the solving longevity issue is better communication between health researches and the at-risk communities,” he said. “We need to inform the members of the community of what we see and what we find so they can go and talk to their legislators.”

Three counties in South Carolina’s Pee Dee area have the state’s worst average life expectancy averages.  Marlboro has a rage of 69.6 years, Marion 71.4 years and Dillon, 71.9 years.

In addition to low life expectancy, these counties also are dogged by chronic high unemployment, an important indicator of health status.

The Harvard study found a 30-year longevity gap between the healthiest and least healthy Americans.

At the top of the scale are Asians American women living in Bergen County, N.J. with a life expectancy of 91 years.  At the other end are Native Americans living in South Dakota, whose average life expectancy is 58 years, comparable to life expectancy in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Lowest life expectancies of 66.6 years can be found among Native Americans living in Bennett, Jackson, Mellette, Shannon, Todd and Washabaugh counties in South Dakota.

According to the study, Hawaiians have the greatest life expectancy, a collective 80 years for men and women with Hawaiian women leading all state groups with a life expectancy of 83.2 years. Hawaii’s advantage is partly statistical, due to the small size of a state with only five counties.

Other “healthy” states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, all with a combined male and female life expectancy topping 78 years.

The District of Columbia, with a combined life expectancy of only 72 years, ranks as the unhealthiest place to live, followed by Mississippi, 73.6 years, Louisiana 74.2, Alabama, 74.4 years and South Carolina, 74.8 years.

A complete set of the county data on life expectancy for both males and females from 1980-1999 can be found at:

• Globalhealth.harvard.edu