The Relation of Residential Segregation to All-Cause Mortality: A Study in Black and White

Abstract

Objectives. This study investigated the influence of an aggregate measure of the social environment on racial differences in all-cause mortality. Methods. Data from the National Longitudinal Mortality Study were analyzed. Results. After adjustment for family income, age-adjusted mortality risk increased with increasing minority residential segregation among Blacks aged 25 to 44 years and non Blacks aged 45 to 64 years. In most age/race/gender groups, the highest and lowest mortality risks occurred in the highest and lowest categories of residential segregation, respectively. Conclusions. These results suggest that minority residential segregation may influence mortality risk and underscore the traditional emphasis on the social underpinnings of disease and death.