Living and Dying in the U.S.A.: Sociodemographic Determinants of Death Among Blacks and Whites

The author examined the demographic & social factors associates with differences in length of life by race. Results demonstrated that sociodemographic factors – age, sex, marital status, family size & income – profoundly affect black & white mortality. However, this gap could be closed with increased standards of living & improved lifestyles. The mortality rate from suicide is lower for blacks than for whites – whites are three times more likely than blacks to die by suicide. (54 refs.)