A new divide in American death

White women have been dying prematurely at higher rates since the turn of this century, passing away in their 30s, 40s and 50s in a slow-motion crisis driven by decaying health in small-town America, according to an analysis of national health and mortality statistics by The Washington Post.The Post’s analysis, which builds on academic research published last year, shows a clear divide in the health of urban and rural Americans.