Exploring the Veteran Mortality Differential: The Effect of Race and Bbirth Cohort

• In Event: 449 - Section on Peace, War, and Social Conflict Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 01. Military Service and Stratification

Abstract

Research reports veterans having both lower and higher mortality risk than nonveterans. Life course scholars suggest these conflicting result may be explained by a crossover in the veteran-nonveteran mortality differential, with veterans having lower mortality risk at midlife and higher mortality risk during older age. However, this theory had not been formally tested. Using data from the 1986-1996 National Health Interview Survey-Linked Mortality Files (NHIS-LMF), discrete time hazard modeling was used to test for a veteran-nonveteran mortality crossover, and to discern whether results varied by race. While a distinct veteran-nonveteran mortality crossover was not present, black veterans did have lower mortality risk than black nonveterans. Furthermore, this differential among black men was influenced by birth cohort. Findings suggest that military service results in lowered mortality risk among black men who receive the full benefits of the GI Bill and Civil Rights legislation.

Authors

• Scott D. Landes, University of North Florida

• JeffriAnne Wilder

• Desiree Williams, University of North Florida