A recent study by Meharry Medical College reveals that death rates among African Americans are higher than rates among non-Hispanic Whites even when all other factors – such as gender, age and neighborhood poverty level – are the same.

The three-year study titled “Neighborhood Poverty, Mortality Rates, and Excess Deaths Among African Americans: Philadelphia 1999-2001,” conducted by Jessica M. Robbins, Ph.D., and David A. Webb, Ph.D., examines vital statistics and census data for the city of Philadelphia between 1999 and 2001.

The results report the mortality rate among African Americans surpassed that of non-Hispanic Whites of the same gender by 5,305 and that the mortality rate among African Americans surpassed that of non-Hispanic Whites of the same gender, age and neighborhood poverty by 1,944.

Some researchers have long made the argument that when the data are controlled along socio-economic lines that Black and White death rates would roughly be the same. This study certainly disproves that argument. It appears as though no matter what your socio-economic level is you will die at a higher death rate if you are Black.

Source: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Meharry Medical College, Nov. 2004.

George T. Rowan, Ph.D. is a professor in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources at Michigan State University and chairperson of the Ingham County Board of Health.