Shortened Lives: How location, lifestyle affect health

In their series "Shortened Lives," Suzanne Bohan and Sandy Kleffman profiled people from different (though nearby) ZIP codes, noting the life expectancy for each. They found wide disparities in their expected life spans, based on where they live, their social status and the toll of chronic stress. The series explains the effect these disparities have on health care costs, as well as how they are caused and how they might be addressed.

Bohan and Kleffman wrote about the project in a piece for AHCJ members and we have included additional resources for those interested in exploring disparities in health care in their own communities.