Higher percentages of obese individuals, smokers, low rates of exercise and small numbers of active primary care physicians predicted lower average life expectances at the county level. These results echo past research that has linked these variables to specific health outcomes and highlight the importance of focusing on these issues as important areas for intervention with respect to improving health, reducing health care costs, and general health promotion. Works Cited

Research

Contalado, F., Pasanisi, F., Finelli, C., & de Simone, G. (2002). Obesity, heart failure and sudden death. Nutr Metab Cardiovascular Disease, 12(4), 190-7.

Dollemore, D. (2005). Obesity threatens to cut U.S. life expectancy,...

NIH News, Wednesday March 16, 2005. http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/mar2005/nia-16.htm
Rosamond, W. et al., (2008). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics -- 2008 Update. Circulation, 117, 25-146.

Ruiz, J.R., Moran, M., Arenas, J., & Lucia, a. (2010). Strenuous endurance exercise improves life expectancy: it's in our genes. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 10, 1136.

Data

Data.gov. (2010). Community Health Status Indicators, 2009. http://www.data.gov/raw/2159.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2010). Community Health Status Indicators 2009. http://www.communityhealth.hhs.gov/AboutTheData.aspx?GeogCD=&PeerStrat=&state=&county=