The wide discrepancies in the quality of life of New Orleanians in different parts of the city have long been documented. But a report that shows life expectancy varies as much as 25 years depending on ZIP code is still striking.
The data should prompt city, state and federal health officials to continue efforts to bridge chronic inequalities in health care and other social and economic conditions in numerous city neighborhoods.
The report, by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, found that average life expectancy in ZIP code 70112, the city's poorest in parts of Mid-City and Treme, is only 54 1/2 years. That's comparable to the health prospects of people in some sub-Saharan African nations. In large areas from Central City to parts of the Bywater to the Upper and Lower 9th Wards, life expectancy is only slightly better: 58 years or less. In all these areas, residents are mostly African-American.
Read more at The Greater New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Since 1972, FOCUS magazine has provided coverage of national issues to a leadership audience of over 18,0000 readers.
