Health outcomes between "unhealthy states" and "healthy states"

 

Life expectancy by US Census Tract

If you look at the map shown above, you might notice a red, claw-like pattern with the wrist of the claw somewhere near Pensacola, Florida.

That begs the question, "Is there any useful information embedded within that curiosity?"

At a 40,000' fly-over level we can learn that the difference in mortality rates is not concentrated in any particular age group.

The mortality rate disparity peaks between ages 29-and-45. It might be worth a deep-dive to see what causes-of-death drive that disparity.

For example, one might labor under the assumption that people living in West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky have lower life expectancies than enlightened people in Hawaii, California, New York and Minnesota because decades of poor life-style choices catch up with them and they die by the box-car lot between ages 65-and-75. 

The data does not support that assumption. The mortality rate in WVMSALTNKY is uniformly 1.5-to-2.1 times higher than HICANYMN for every age cohort below seventy.

One defensible hypothesis is that delays in getting professional treatment is a major player. Those red fingers might be rural areas or mountainous areas where land-travel is arduous or emergency services are stretched thin.

Wendell Berry once made the vinegary observation that Christian preachers invariably felt "called by God to serve" congregations that were in regions with deeper collection baskets than his poor, Kentucky neighborhood.

Much the same can be said about medical professionals. They have student debt. Most of them like the amenities of urban life. The Medicaid payments and erratic patronage of patients in Best Friend, Alabama is thin gruel when they have $1M in student debt to pay down.

If there is a "take-home" for those of us in rural areas it is that we need to be our own health advocates. If somebody (perhaps a spouse) tells you it is time to visit the doctor then don't argue. Grab your hat and go.

If they want to call 9-1-1, you have a Golden Hour when it can make the difference between life-and-death. Don't waste it.

If our best understanding of the research is "moderation in all things", exercise, sunshine and avoiding stupid people...then put that information into action.

If we cannot exercise due to pain or worn-out joints...then do something about it.

If we cannot enjoy a healthy diet because our teeth are worn out...find a good dentist and let them ply their craft.