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0 pointsekianjo12y ago0 comments

This definitely deserves some kind of investigation. There's probably something to learn from such high levels of difference in very close counties : http://socialcapitalreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Sc...

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dubfan12y ago

As a resident of Washington the first thing that comes to mind is the difference in climate between the west and east. The eastern part of the state is mostly semi-arid, nearly desert in some areas.

I've heard we also have one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the US, but I'm having a hard time finding good data on that.

erichurkman12y ago

It could also be something innocent, like a large treatment center or palliative care facility.

That is, unless the data is meticulously groomed to report the patients' county/state of origin.

ekianjoOP12y ago

I contacted Dr Doraiswamy (a well known Alzheimer specialist) and he could not think of any other reason than "higher rate of APoE4 genotype due to greater Scandinavian heritage". He also suggested this could be coming from the way the death ratio is calculated "ie the denominator of deaths to all other causes is lower due to better diet".

I'll see what I can find.

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