Premature mortality in the United States: the roles of geographic area, socioeconomic status, household type, and availability of medical care.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined premature mortality by county in the United States and assessed its association with metro/urban/rural geographic location, socioeconomic status, household type, and availability of medical care.


METHODS
Age-adjusted years of potential life lost before 75 years of age were calculated and mapped by county. Predictors of premature mortality were determined by multiple regression analysis.


RESULTS
Premature mortality was greatest in rural counties in the Southeast and Southwest. In a model predicting 55% of variation across counties, community structure factors explained more than availability of medical care. The proportions of female-headed households and Black populations were the strongest predictors, followed by variables measuring low education, American Indian population, and chronic unemployment. Greater availability of generalist physicians predicted fewer years of life lost in metropolitan counties but more in rural counties.


CONCLUSIONS
Community structure factors statistically explain much of the variation in premature mortality. The degree to which premature mortality is predicted by percentage of female-headed households is important for policy-making and delivery of medical care. The relationships described argue strongly for broadening the biomedical model.
Mansfield
C J
CJ
Center for Health Services Research and Development, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. mansfield@brody.med.ecu.edu
Wilson
J L
JL
Kobrinski
E J
EJ
Mitchell
J
J
D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D044469:Racial Groups; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015406:Single Parent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology