The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) describes profound differences in life expectancy between racial and ethnic groups in a new report titled the Los Angeles County Community Health Assessment 2015. This comprehensive report describes the key health issues and health disparities of Los Angeles County residents as well as the social and environmental conditions impacting health in the County.

The study shows that average life expectancy across Los Angeles County climbed to 81.5 years as of 2010 from 78.8 years in 2001, as seen on page 107 of [THIS REPORT].

The study divides the county into eight geographic regions. The Santa Clarita Valley is lumped together with the San Fernando valley in region (Service Planning Area) No. 2, which has the greatest population of the eight regions.

Region No. 2’s average life expectancy is 82.4 years (as of 2010).

The only region with a higher life expectancy as of 2010 is West L.A. at 84.9 years.

“Stark differences in health status and the opportunity to live a healthy lifestyles persist among Los Angeles County residents,” said Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, MD, MPH, Interim Health Officer for Los Angeles County. “Understanding how disparities have a significant impact on health among various groups is critical to help improve health for all County residents and also to help define health-related priorities, policies, and programs. It will take collaboration across all sectors of our community to address the root causes of poor health in Los Angeles County.”

There is as much as a ten-year gap in life expectancy when comparing racial and ethnic groups in Los Angeles County. Asian residents have the highest life expectancy at 85.8 years, followed by Latino at 83.1 years, white at 80.8 years, and black residents at 75.6 years as described in the report.

Coronary artery disease and homicide are the first and second leading causes of premature death countywide, as highlighted in the report. Both disproportionately impact black residents which have the highest rates of death from coronary artery disease and homicide.

The report also indicates that nearly seventy-seven percent of adults in Los Angeles County have difficulty accessing fresh fruits and vegetables and cite high cost as the biggest barrier followed by the poor quality of produce available to them.

To view the report, please visit http://www.lapublichealth.org/plan/Highlights/CHA_CHIP/Overview.htm.

The report was developed with community stakeholder input into the selection of health indicators.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises nearly 4,000 employees and has an annual budget exceeding $900 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov, visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth, find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lapublichealth, or follow us on Twitter: @LAPublicHealth.8

“Stark differences in health status and the opportunity to live a healthy lifestyles persist among Los Angeles County residents,” said Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, MD, MPH, Interim Health Officer for Los Angeles County. “Understanding how disparities have a significant impact on health among various groups is critical to help improve health for all County residents and also to help define health-related priorities, policies, and programs. It will take collaboration across all sectors of our community to address the root causes of poor health in Los Angeles County.”

There is as much as a 10-year gap in life expectancy when comparing racial and ethnic groups in Los Angeles County. Asian residents have the highest life expectancy at 85.8 years, followed by Latino at 83.1 years, white at 80.8 years, and black residents at 75.6 years as described in the report.

Coronary artery disease and homicide are the first and second leading causes of premature death countywide, as highlighted in the report. Both disproportionately impact black residents which have the highest rates of death from coronary artery disease and homicide.

The report also indicates that nearly seventy-seven percent of adults in Los Angeles County have difficulty accessing fresh fruits and vegetables and cite high cost as the biggest barrier followed by the poor quality of produce available to them.

The report was developed with community stakeholder input into the selection of health indicators.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises nearly 4,000 employees and has an annual budget exceeding $900 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov, visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth, find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lapublichealth, or follow us on Twitter: @LAPublicHealth.