Underwriting the presidents.
The United States has had 43 presidents. We examined whether they survive significantly longer or shorter than their contemporaries. We found that survival was better for presidents elected in the 1789-1841 and 1933-2001 periods (SMRs of 0.7 and 0.6, respectively), but worse for those elected in 1845-1929 (SMR = 2.9). We also found increased mortality during the years lived in office (SMR = 1.4), but no increase in mortality after leaving office (SMR = 1.0).
Shavelle
Robert M
RM
Life Expectancy Project, 1439 - 17th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122-3402, USA. Shavelle@Life.Expectancy.org
Kush
Scott J
SJ
Paculdo
David R
DR
Strauss
David J
DJ
Day
Steven M
SM
D005197:Famous Persons; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007352:Insurance, Life / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011057:Politics; D014481:United States