Annual numbers of excess deaths in the US relative to other developed countries are growing at an alarming rate

New research shows that preventable deaths are increasing in the US at the same time that life expectancy keeps dropping.

Patrick Heuveline, Professor of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
June 13, 2023 • ~6 min

Native Americans have experienced a dramatic decline in life expectancy during the COVID-19 pandemic – but the drop has been in the making for generations

Unrelenting poverty, underemployment and historical trauma all contribute to the health challenges faced by Indigenous Americans.

Allison Kelliher, Assistant Professor, Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of North Dakota • conversation
Feb. 3, 2023 • ~8 min

Old age isn't a modern phenomenon – many people lived long enough to grow old in the olden days, too

Nasty, brutish – but not necessarily short. Here’s how archaeologists know plenty of people didn’t die young.

Sharon DeWitte, Professor of Anthropology, University of South Carolina • conversation
Aug. 10, 2022 • ~8 min

Declaring racism a public health crisis brings more attention to solving long-ignored racial gaps in health

Black Americans have worse health outcomes by many measures. To draw attention to that fact, the CDC and communities across the country have called racism a public health threat.

Paul K. Halverson, Dean, School of Public Health, Indiana University • conversation
April 22, 2021 • ~6 min

Long live the monarchy! British royals tend to survive a full three decades longer than their subjects

Prince Philip died at 99. Living to such a ripe old age isn't unusual for UK royals. Nor is it surprising, argues an expert on aging and longevity.

S. Jay Olshansky, Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago • conversation
April 13, 2021 • ~6 min

Seat belts and smoking rates show people eventually adopt healthy behaviors – but it can take time we don't have during a pandemic

Public health recommendations have always been a hard sell. Resistance to new behaviors – like the mask-wearing and social distancing advised during the COVID-19 pandemic – is part of human nature.

Randy P. Juhl, Dean Emeritus and Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
Dec. 29, 2020 • ~7 min

/

1