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Geriatrics

Geriatrics

Ethnogeriatrics

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Patterns of Health Risk

Life Expectancy: The Crossover Phenomenon

Life expectancy at birth has historically been shorter for African Americans than other Americans, but the differences disappear or reverse themselves at older ages, creating the “Crossover Phenomenon”.Closely related to the subject of differential life expectancy, the Crossover Phenomenon refers to the fact that both Black females and males who were 80 years of age or older in 1976 had a longer life expectancy than their White female and male counterparts.

Its name comes from the reversal in average life expectancy that occurs between Blacks and Whites between 80 and 85 years of age.See Table 1 above.

In 2002, Black males who lived to the age of 65 had a life expectancy of 79.6 years and Black women who lived to the age of 65 had a life expectancy of 83.0 years (AoA, 2004). The historical trends in the Crossover and possible reasons for it are discussed in Fund of Knowledge under Health History.

Table 1: Life Expectancy by Age Group and Race, in Years, 2004

Life Expectancy

White

Black

At Birth 78.3 73.3
At Age 65 18.6 16.9
At Age 85 7.2 6.8
Source: Administration on Aging, 2004
    Pages:
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African American

  • Description
  • Learning Objectives
  • Introduction & Overview
    • Population Growth and Distribution
    • Characteristics
  • Patterns of Health Risk
    • Life Expectancy
    • Mortality
    • Morbidity
    • Self-Rated Health and Functional Status

CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CARE

  • Fund of Knowledge
    • Health History
      • Up from slavery
      • Health and Longevity Since the Mid-19th Century
      • Significant Dates and Periods
      • Cohort Experiences
    • Health Beliefs
    • Illness Causes & Interventions
  • Assesment
    • Cultural Biases and Misdiagnoses
    • Showing Respect
    • Use of Assesment Instruments
  • Delivery of Care
    • Cardiovascular Disease
    • Stroke
    • Breast Cancer
    • Mental Health
    • End-of-life Care
  • Cancer Care

Access and Utilization

  • Disparities
    • 1. Patient-Based Factors
    • 2. Physician-Based Factors
      • Maltreatment and Segregated Training
      • Discriminatory Patterns
      • Social and Kinship Networks
      • Informal Caregiving
      • Caregiver Burden
      • Long-Term Care
    • 3. End-of-Life Care Issues
      • Palliative and Hospice Care
      • Advance Directives
      • Role of Church and Religion
  • Health Promotion
    • Improving Health Care

Learning Resources

  • Instructional Strategies
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    • Case Study 1: Mr. S
      • Overview and History
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