by Candice Marie Benbow
#Black men’s loss of 3 years of life expectancy since the onset of the #pandemic is comparable to the average American’s loss of 2.9 years in #WorldWarII.
According to research gathered from analyzing US death certificates, the #COVID-19 global #pandemic created the greatest shift in #American life expectancy since #WorldWarII.
Becoming the third leading cause of death in 2020, a PBS report of the findings showed that the #coronavirus erased nearly two years from the average American’s life expectancy. Before vaccines were available to the general #American public, life expectancy decreased from 78.8 years in 2019 to 77 years. While many may deem a loss of two years as insignificant, social epidemiologist Dr. Zinzi Bailey said it’s “rolling back decades and decades of progress.” Bailey, who is also a professor at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, told PBS, “we are going backwards.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
While 1.8 years is significantly less than the 11-year loss in life expectancy following the 1918 influenza #pandemic, the decrease due to #COVID-19 was especially difficult for marginalized populations—and even more specifically, #Black #men, who died at rates greater than any other #racial or #ethnic group. In the first six months of 2020, #Black men’s life expectancy decreased by 3 years. This mirrors the 2.9-year life expectancy loss the average #American experienced during the height of #WorldWarII. At the same time, white people have collectively experienced a loss of 1.2 years of life expectancy during the #pandemic.
The impact of the #coronavirus halts steady progress #AfricanAmericans have made regarding life expectancy. Elizabeth Arias, research lead and demographer with the National Center for Health, told PBS that, within recent years as a result of economic gains, social mobility and greater healthcare access, the life expectancy of #AfricanAmericans began to head towards that of white #Americans. In 1900, #AfricanAmericans were dying 14 years sooner than their white counterparts. By 2019, that margin had closed to 4.1 years. “It takes a long time for the progress in health equity to prolong people’s lives,” Arias said.
Princeton Professor of Demography and Public Affairs Noreen Goldman told PBS the impact on #Black #men is due in large part to the greater likelihood of #peopleofcolor being essential workers and being diagnosed with chronic illnesses that worsen #COVID-19 symptoms and conditions. “This kind of excess mortality is representing structural inequalities that have existed for a long time that increase both the risk of exposure to the #virus and the risk of dying from the #virus,” Goldman explained.
Though Arias is hopeful that life expectancy rates will rebound, she is skeptical that it can happen any time soon. Arias says that a return to pre-#COVID life expectancy numbers means “no more excess death because of #COVID.” As #America surpassed 900,000 deaths due to the #coronavirus, that total rebound does not seem imminent.
Unfortunately, Arias believes the pandemic’s effects on life expectancy will linger for #AfricanAmericans and other #peopleofcolor for some time. “If it was just the #pandemic and we were able to take control of that and reduce the numbers of excess deaths, they may be able to gain some of the loss,” Arias said. However, as other wellness conditions worsen because of the #pandemic and access to healthcare remains strained, communities of color are facing more than just the weight of excess death. “We may be seeing the indirect effects of the #pandemic for some time to come.”
Candice Marie Benbow is theGrio’s daily lifestyle, education and health writer. She’s also the author of Red Lip Theology: For Church Girls Who’ve Considered Tithing to the Beauty Supply Store When Sunday Morning Isn’t Enough. Find her on #Twitter and #Instagram @candicebenbow.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
