Case and Deaton (2017) analyze rising mortality and morbidity among white non-Hispanic Americans in midlife since the early 2000s. All-cause mortality continued to rise through 2015, with increases in drug overdoses, suicides, and alcohol-related liver disease, particularly among those with less than a high school education. Mortality from heart disease slowed and then stopped, contributing to the overall rise in mortality. Educational disparities in mortality among whites increased, with mortality rising for those without a college degree and falling for those with a college degree. Mortality rates for blacks and Hispanics continued to fall, with a crossover in mortality rates between whites and blacks in 1999 and 2015. Mortality rates in comparable rich countries continued to fall, unlike in the US, where mortality rates for those with low educational attainment increased. The authors argue that income alone cannot explain the mortality trends, as income profiles for blacks and Hispanics were no better than for whites. They propose a narrative of cumulative disadvantage from one birth cohort to the next, affecting labor market opportunities, marriage, child outcomes, and health. This suggests that policies to improve earnings and jobs may take many years to reverse the mortality and morbidity increase. The authors note that mortality trends in the US differ from those in Europe, where mortality rates for those with low educational attainment fell further. They also highlight the role of opioids in exacerbating the epidemic. The study finds that mortality rates for whites with less than a high school education increased significantly, while those with a college degree saw declines. The authors emphasize the importance of addressing long-term labor market issues and improving safety nets for mothers with children. The study also notes that mortality rates for whites in midlife are rising, while those for the elderly are falling, leading to a decline in overall life expectancy for whites. The authors conclude that while income is correlated with health, it is not the sole factor, and that policies targeting opioids and long-term labor market issues are needed. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the underlying causes of the mortality and morbidity trends.Case and Deaton (2017) analyze rising mortality and morbidity among white non-Hispanic Americans in midlife since the early 2000s. All-cause mortality continued to rise through 2015, with increases in drug overdoses, suicides, and alcohol-related liver disease, particularly among those with less than a high school education. Mortality from heart disease slowed and then stopped, contributing to the overall rise in mortality. Educational disparities in mortality among whites increased, with mortality rising for those without a college degree and falling for those with a college degree. Mortality rates for blacks and Hispanics continued to fall, with a crossover in mortality rates between whites and blacks in 1999 and 2015. Mortality rates in comparable rich countries continued to fall, unlike in the US, where mortality rates for those with low educational attainment increased. The authors argue that income alone cannot explain the mortality trends, as income profiles for blacks and Hispanics were no better than for whites. They propose a narrative of cumulative disadvantage from one birth cohort to the next, affecting labor market opportunities, marriage, child outcomes, and health. This suggests that policies to improve earnings and jobs may take many years to reverse the mortality and morbidity increase. The authors note that mortality trends in the US differ from those in Europe, where mortality rates for those with low educational attainment fell further. They also highlight the role of opioids in exacerbating the epidemic. The study finds that mortality rates for whites with less than a high school education increased significantly, while those with a college degree saw declines. The authors emphasize the importance of addressing long-term labor market issues and improving safety nets for mothers with children. The study also notes that mortality rates for whites in midlife are rising, while those for the elderly are falling, leading to a decline in overall life expectancy for whites. The authors conclude that while income is correlated with health, it is not the sole factor, and that policies targeting opioids and long-term labor market issues are needed. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the underlying causes of the mortality and morbidity trends.