A new study on life expectancy points to race, poverty and lack of health care as factors that contribute to the premature death of some county residents.
The study found that some older residents of Franklin county will live twenty years fewer than others because of where they live.
Matt Martin of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University conducted the study.
Martin said balancing independence and isolation is also important for older residents.
“What’s important is thinking about aging in the house that you’ve lived in or driving the car that you’ve driven but how can you age in community. How can you age where you want to age, where you’re able to age and experience the highest level of independence,” Martin explained.
Martin said the number of seniors in Franklin County is expected to double by 2045.
The study was commissioned by the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and the Columbus Foundation.