Black/White Differences in U.S. Adult Mortality: An Examination of Recent Period and Cohort Trends

Kristen G. Miller, University of Texas at Austin
Robert A. Hummer, University of Texas at Austin
Ryan K. Masters, University of Texas at Austin
Brian K. Finch, San Diego State University

This paper uses the National Health Interview Survey Linked Mortality Files (with follow-up through Dec. 31, 2006) to examine contemporary period and cohort based trends in black-white differences in U.S. adult mortality. We use recently developed hierarchical age-period-cohort models which allow us to simultaneously measure period and cohort effects to determine whether it is time period or birth cohort changes that are driving recent reductions in mortality risk. Our conceptual model focuses on the ways in which the recent histories of African Americans and non-Hispanic whites have led each group to exhibit unique contemporary adult mortality patterns and trends. Preliminary results indicate that cohort processes are the primary driving force behind the reduction in black-white mortality gap.

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Presented in Session 39: Adult Mortality