HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — One of the most disturbing trends in American public health is that women’s life expectancy is shrinking in many parts of the U.S.
Women’s longevity took an unprecedented nosedive during the past decade, researchers recently discovered, with their life expectancy tumbling or stagnating in one of every five counties in the country.
In Connecticut, for example, New London County saw a drop in longevity, while Fairfield and Hartford counties saw significant jumps.
The last time life expectancy fell for a large number of American women was 1918, due to Spanish influenza.
Growing Work, Family Stress
While many scientists believe that smoking and obesity are driving the downward spiral, a growing chorus of experts contends that chronic stress may be a key culprit, too – especially the stress of juggling work and family.
‘It’s a hypothesis at this point, but a reasonable and plausible one,’ said James S. House, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. Women may have gained work opportunities over the last four decades, he said, but society has done relatively little to help them support their increased responsibilities.
‘Clearly, obesity and smoking are things that contribute to chronic disease and reduced life span,’ said Carolyn Mazure, director […]
