Is remaining life expectancy of blacks at age 85 about the same as whites?
Yes. Although remaining life expectancy of black men and women at age 65 is about two years less than that of white men and women at age 65, by the time they reach 85 their life expectancy is nearly the same. One possible explanation for this convergence effect is that blacks who make it to the oldest ages do so in spite of many disadvantages and are "survivors" and have developed physiological and social psychological survival advantages.
Linda Breytspraak, Center on Aging Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Last update: Sunday, July 06, 2008