International Handbook of Adult Mortality (International Handbooks of Population, 2)

This handbook presents a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of unprecedented substantive, theoretical, methodological, and statistical developments and insights, and an in-depth examination of trends and patterns, in adult mortality around the world. With over two dozen chapters and more than fifty authors, this volume draws from top international mortality experts to provide one of the best overviews of life expectancy extant. The handbook documents remarkable gains in life expectancy, which stand out as one of the most important accomplishments of the twentieth century. Individuals in more developed countries can expect to live longer now than ever before, especially the Japanese, who enjoy record-setting life expectancies. The book also explores unfortunate declines in life expectancy in selected countries brought on by such factors as the following: infectious diseases; accidents, suicides, and homicides; and political and economic conflict and turmoil. This book synthesizes the wealth of mortality information available, clearly articulates the central findings to-date, identifies the most appropriate datasets and methods currently available, illuminates the central research questions, and develops an agenda to address these research questions. The authors carefully examine central factors related to mortality, including health behaviors, socioeconomic status, social relations, biomarkers, and genetic factors. The book will prove especially relevant to researchers, students, and policy makers within social and health sciences who want to better understand international trends and patterns in adult mortality. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Introduction....Pages 1-6 Front Matter....Pages 7-7 Historical Trends in Mortality....Pages 9-47 Adult Mortality in Europe....Pages 49-81 Adult Mortality in the Former Soviet Union....Pages 83-100 Adult Mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean....Pages 101-132 Adult Mortality in Asia....Pages 133-150 Adult Mortality in Africa....Pages 151-170 Global Trends in AIDS Mortality....Pages 171-183 Front Matter....Pages 185-185 Early Life Conditions and Later Life Mortality....Pages 187-206 Age Patterns in Adult Mortality....Pages 207-226 Hispanic Paradox in Adult Mortality in the United States....Pages 227-240 Educational Attainment and Adult Mortality....Pages 241-261 Work, Occupation, Income, and Mortality....Pages 263-288 Relationships Among Health Behaviors, Health, and Mortality....Pages 289-310 Discrimination, Chronic Stress, and Mortality Among Black Americans: A Life Course Framework....Pages 311-328 Self-Rated Health and Subjective Survival Probabilities as Predictors of Mortality....Pages 329-344 Religion and Adult Mortality: Group- and Individual-Level Perspectives....Pages 345-377 Front Matter....Pages 379-379 Links Between Biomarkers and Mortality....Pages 381-398 Genetic Factors and Adult Mortality....Pages 399-410 Front Matter....Pages 411-411 Neighborhood Effects on Mortality....Pages 413-439 Front Matter....Pages 411-411 Health and Mortality Consequences of the Physical Environment....Pages 441-464 Front Matter....Pages 465-465 Coding and Classifying Causes of Death: Trends and International Differences....Pages 467-489 Avoidable Mortality....Pages 491-508 Front Matter....Pages 509-509 Model Schedules of Mortality....Pages 511-532 Period Versus Cohort Life Expectancy....Pages 533-549 Healthy Life Expectancy....Pages 551-568 Front Matter....Pages 569-569 Public Policies Intended to Influence Adult Mortality....Pages 571-581 Mortality Affected by Health Care and Public Health Policy Interventions....Pages 583-607 Back Matter....Pages 609-625 This handbook presents a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of unprecedented substantive, theoretical, methodological, and statistical developments and insights, and an in-depth examination of trends and patterns, in adult mortality around the world. With over two dozen chapters and more than 50 authors, this volume draws from top international mortality experts to provide one of the best overviews of life expectancy extant. The book documents remarkable gains in life expectancy, which stand out as one of the most important accomplishments of the twentieth century. Individuals in more developed countries can expect to live longer now than ever before, especially the Japanese who enjoy record-setting life expectancies. The book also explores unfortunate declines in life expectancy in selected countries brought on by such factors as infectious diseases; accidents, suicides, and homicides; and political and economic conflict and turmoil. This book synthesizes the wealth of mortality information available, clearly articulates the central findings to-date, identifies the most appropriate datasets and methods currently available, illuminates the central research questions, and develops an agenda to address these research questions. The authors carefully examine central factors related to mortality, including health behaviors, socioeconomic status, social relations, biomarkers, and genetic factors. The book will prove especially relevant to researchers, students, and policy makers within social and health sciences who want to better understand international trends and patterns in adult mortality. Temporal And Spatial Trends Associated With Mortality -- Sociodemographic, Economic, Behavioral, And Psychological Determinants Of Mortality -- Biological Risk Factors -- Contextual Effects On Mortality -- Classification Of Causes Of Death -- Mathematical And Modeling Approaches To Mortality -- Government Policies Designed To Affect Mortality -- Conclusion. Richard G. Rogers, Eileen M. Crimmins, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.