METHODS: LE calculations were performed using an analytical tool developed by the South East England Public Health Observatory (SEPHO) which applies Chiang II methodology and incorporates a Silcocks adjustment. Estimates were generated using five and 10 year aggregates of data, at two sub-county geographies: townships, based on Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs) and Healthy Maine Partnerships (HMPs), which are aggregations of townships.
RESULTS: Statewide LE between 2006-2010 was found to be 79.1 years; statewide female LE was approximately five years greater than male LE. At the HMP-level, a five year difference was found between the lowest and highest LE estimates (76.6 – 82.0). Ten years of data, 2001-2010, were aggregated for township analyses. After applying restrictive stability criteria, the difference in LE between the lowest and highest township was approximately 15 years. Township LE estimates ranged from 69.9 – 84.7 years.
CONCLUSIONS: Although Maine’s statewide LE is comparable to the overall U.S. LE, town-level results revealed substantial disparities. Various stability criteria were explored, and in the process, highlighted the pros and cons of implementing strict criteria (i.e. a suppression rule of SE<2). Plans to incorporate LE on Maine’s Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) portal, in addition to sociodemographic information at comparable geographic scales, is anticipated to spark additional dialogue on health disparities within Maine.