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Excess mortality among urban residents: How much, for whom, and why?

Author

Listed:
  • House, J.S.
  • Lepkowski, J.M.
  • Williams, D.R.
  • Mero, R.P.
  • Lantz, P.M.
  • Robert, S.A.
  • Chen, J.

Abstract

Objectives. The goals of this study were to estimate prospective mortality risks of city residence, specify how these risks vary by population subgroup, and explore possible explanations. Methods. Data were derived from a probability sample of 3617 adults in the coterminous United States and analyzed via cross-tabular and Cox proportional hazards methods. Results. After adjustment for baseline sociodemographic and health variables, city residents had a mortality hazard rate ratio of 1.62 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21, 2.18) relative to rural/small-town residents; suburbanites had an intermediate but not significantly elevated hazard rate ratio. This urban mortality risk was significant among men (hazard rate ratio: 2.25), especially non-Black men, but not among women. Among Black men, and to some degree Black women, suburban residence carried the greatest risk. All risks were most evident for those younger than 65 years. Conclusions. The mortality risk of city residence, at least among men, rivals that of major psychosocial risk factors such as race, low income, smoking, and social isolation and merits comparable attention in research and policy.

Suggested Citation

  • House, J.S. & Lepkowski, J.M. & Williams, D.R. & Mero, R.P. & Lantz, P.M. & Robert, S.A. & Chen, J., 2000. "Excess mortality among urban residents: How much, for whom, and why?," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 90(12), pages 1898-1904.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2000:90:12:1898-1904_6
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    Cited by:

    1. Sudano, Joseph J. & Baker, David W., 2006. "Explaining US racial/ethnic disparities in health declines and mortality in late middle age: The roles of socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and health insurance," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(4), pages 909-922, February.
    2. van Hooijdonk, Carolien & Droomers, Mariël & van Loon, Jeanne A.M. & van der Lucht, Fons & Kunst, Anton E., 2007. "Exceptions to the rule: Healthy deprived areas and unhealthy wealthy areas," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(6), pages 1326-1342, March.
    3. Fukuda, Yoshiharu & Nakamura, Keiko & Takano, Takehito, 2004. "Increased excess deaths in urban areas: quantification of geographical variation in mortality in Japan, 1973-1998," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(2), pages 233-244, May.
    4. Gartner, Andrea & Farewell, Daniel & Roach, Paul & Dunstan, Frank, 2011. "Rural/urban mortality differences in England and Wales and the effect of deprivation adjustment," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(10), pages 1685-1694, May.

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