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Convergence of Mortality Among African Americans

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  • Shahdad Naghshpour
  • Sediq Sameem

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore any possible convergence in African American mortality rates in the United States. Using county-level data of the United States over a period of nearly five decades (1968-2015), the findings indicate that β-convergence has occurred in mortality rates of African American population implying that their mortality rates are getting closer to their means. The results are particularly stronger for females and the elderly. The findings reflect lower cost of implementation and dissemination of strategies that would target the health of such population. JEL Classifications : II0, I30, R10

Suggested Citation

  • Shahdad Naghshpour & Sediq Sameem, 2019. "Convergence of Mortality Among African Americans," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 64(2), pages 237-245, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:amerec:v:64:y:2019:i:2:p:237-245
    DOI: 10.1177/0569434518812782
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    Cited by:

    1. Christopoulos, Konstantinos & Eleftheriou, Konstantinos, 2020. "Premature mortality in the US: A convergence study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    2. Yazgan, M. Ege & Yilmazkuday, Hakan, 2011. "Price-level convergence: New evidence from U.S. cities," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 110(2), pages 76-78, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    convergence; mortality; African Americans; Blacks;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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