Higher black death rate preventable

PHILADELPHIA, April 27 (UPI) -- Death from preventable or treatable conditions accounted for nearly 70 percent of the black-white mortality difference from 1980-2005, U.S. researchers said.

James Macinko of the University of Pennsylvania said the major reason for the black-white mortality gap -- representing about 30 percent of the gap for men and 42 percent for women -- is conditions that have effective treatments.

Disparities were most pronounced for conditions or diseases for which deaths can be prevented, such as diabetes, stroke, infectious and respiratory diseases, preventable cancers and circulatory diseases like hypertension.

"People should not be dying prematurely from stroke, hypertension, diabetes, colon cancer, appendicitis or the flu," Macinko said in a statement. "Our study shows that while much progress has been made, our healthcare system is still failing to meet the very basic needs of some Americans. Many disparities can be conquered by focusing more on public policies that promote prevention and by ensuring that all Americans have access to good quality healthcare."

To analyze the death disparity among African-Americans and Caucasians, the researchers used "avoidable mortality," defined as premature death under age 65 from conditions responsive to medical care, changes in public policy, or behaviors.

The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, said over the last decade, avoidable mortality has declined less rapidly in the United States than in other industrialized nations.