In the United States, advancements in medical care have led to a general increase in life expectancy, with an average rise of two years from 1990 to 2000. This improvement reflects the benefits of better healthcare access and medical technology for many segments of the population.

However, this progress has not been universally experienced. The poorest Americans have seen no gains in life expectancy, and notably, poor women within this demographic have faced a decline in their life spans during the same period. This disparity highlights the significant inequality that persists in society, as discussed in Joseph E. Stiglitz's "The Price of Inequality."