Despite being one of the richest countries in the world per capita, the U.S. experiences significant health disparities that are based in social, economic and environmental factors. In a landmark 2016 JAMA study that examined the association between income and life expectancy, researchers found that the richest American men lived 15 years longer than the poorest men, while the richest American women lived 10 years longer than the poorest women. Public health research shows that addressing the social determinants of health can have a major impact on improving population health and decreasing health disparities.

For more information about CHA's activities and positions on this issue, see the CHA policy brief.