By Rochelle Sharpe, Conn. Health I-Team Writer <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Graphic by Webkazoo. <\/p>\n
Its one of the most disturbing trends in American public health: womens life spans are shrinking in many parts of the U.S., and no one knows why. <\/p>\n
Womens longevity took an unprecedented nosedive during the past decade, researchers recently discovered, with their life expectancy tumbling or stagnating in one of every five counties in the country. <\/p>\n
In Connecticut, where womens life expectancy exceeds the national average, New London County saw a drop in longevity, while Fairfield and Hartford counties saw significant jumps. <\/p>\n
The last time life expectancy fell for a large number of American women was in 1918, due to Spanish influenza. <\/p>\n
While many scientists believe that smoking and obesity are driving the downward spiral, a growing chorus of experts contends that chronic stress may be a key culprit, too especially the stress of juggling work and family. <\/p>\n
Its a hypothesis at this point, but a reasonable and plausible one, said James S. House, a professor at the University of Michigans Institute for Social Research. Women may have gained work opportunities over the last four decades, he said, but society has done relatively little to help them support their increased responsibilities. <\/p>\n
Clearly, obesity and smoking are things that contribute to chronic disease and reduced life span, said Carolyn Mazure, director of Womens Health Research at Yale, which funds interdisciplinary research on gender differences in health. There is really no question in my mind that stress plays a role in that algorithm, especially for women. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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\nWomen's longevity falling in some parts of U.S., stress may be factor<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"