Population Health in America (Volume 5) (Sociology in the Twenty-First Century)

In this engaging and accessibly written book, Population Health in America weaves demographic data with social theory and research to help students understand health patterns and trends in the U.S. population. While life expectancy was estimated to be just 37 years in the United States in 1870, today it is more than twice as long, at over 78 years. Yet today, life expectancy in the U.S. lags behind almost all other wealthy countries. Within the U.S., there are substantial social inequalities in health and mortality: women live longer but less healthier lives than men; African Americans and Native Americans live far shorter lives than Asian Americans and White Americans; and socioeconomic inequalities in health have been widening over the past 20 years. What accounts for these population health patterns and trends? Inviting students to delve into population health trends and disparities, demographers Robert Hummer and Erin Hamilton provide an easily understandable historical and contemporary portrait of U.S. population health. Perfect for courses such as population health, medical or health sociology, social epidemiology, health disparities, demography, and others, as well as for academic researchers and lay persons interested in better understanding the overall health of the country, __Population Health in America__ also challenges students, academics, and the public to understand current health policy priorities and to ask whether considerably different directions are needed. In this engaging and accessibly written book, Population Health in America weaves demographic data with social theory and research to help students understand health patterns and trends in the U.S. population. While life expectancy was estimated to be just 37 years in the United States in 1870, today it is more than twice as long, at over 78 years. Yet today, life expectancy in the U.S. lags behind almost all other wealthy countries. Within the U.S., there are substantial social inequalities in health and mortality: women live longer but less healthier lives than men; African Americans and Native Americans live far shorter lives than Asian Americans and White Americans; and socioeconomic inequalities in health have been widening over the past 20 years. What accounts for these population health patterns and trends? 

Inviting students to delve into population health trends and disparities, demographers Robert Hummer and Erin Hamilton provide an easily understandable historical and contemporary portrait of U.S. population health. Perfect for courses such as population health, medical or health sociology, social epidemiology, health disparities, demography, and others, as well as for academic researchers and lay persons interested in better understanding the overall health of the country, Population Health in America also challenges students, academics, and the public to understand current health policy priorities and to ask whether considerably different directions are needed.   Population Health In America Delves Into The Description And Explanation Of The Country's Most Important Health And Longevity Trends And Disparities. Co-authors Robert Hummer And Erin Hamilton Provide A Historical Portrait Of Population Health; Illustrate Geographic Differences In Population Health Across States And Counties; And Describe Disparities In Population Health By Socioeconomic Status, Gender, Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity, Race/ethnicity, And Immigrant Status. Beyond Description, Hummer And Hamilton Also Provide Sociologically-based Explanations For Such Trends And Disparities. The Book Closes With A Discussion Of Policy Directions That Have The Potential To Address The Fundamental Causes Of U.s. Population Health Trends And Disparities--provided By Publisher. What Is Population Health And Why Study It In The 21st Century United States? -- Historical Trends In U.s. Population Health -- U.s. Population Health In International Context -- The Spatial And Social Contexts Of U.s. Population Health -- Socioeconomic Status And U.s. Population Health -- Race/ethnicity, Nativity, And U.s. Population Health -- Gender And U.s. Population Health -- Policy Implications Of Population Health Science. Robert A. Hummer And Erin R. Hamilton. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents Illustrations Tables Acknowledgments 1. What Is Population Health and Why Study It in the Twenty-First-Century United States? 2. Historical Trends in U. S. Population Health 3. U. S. Population Health in International Context 4. Spatial and Social Contexts of U. S. Population Health 5. Socioeconomic Status and U. S. Population Health 6. Race / Ethnicity, Nativity, and U. S. Population Health 7. Gender and U. S. Population Health 8. Policy Implications of Population Health Science Notes References Index