Potential gains in life expectancies by partial elimination of leading causes of death in Texas.
Potential gains in life expectancies among Texas population by partial elimination of 3 major causes of death are examined on the basis of the available statistics from the population census and mortality statistics for 1970. Contrary to the popular anticipation of longer potential gains, the results are not particularly encouraging. The number of years of life that would be gained during the working ages by 50% elimination of major cardiovascular diseases is less than 1/2 of 1 year, about 1/4 of 1 year by 50% elimination of malignant neoplasms, and less than 1/4 of 1 year by 50% elimination of motor vehicle accidents. Even with a scientific breakthrough in combating those causes of death it appears that future gains in life expectancies for working ages will not be spectacular. The implications of the results in relation to the current debate on the national health policy are discussed.
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013781:Texas; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American