Final answer:
The narrowing of the gap in life expectancy between black and white Americans is attributed to improved healthcare access, socioeconomic progress, and changes in lifestyle habits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gap between life expectancies of black and white Americans has been closing for several reasons, key among them includes improved access to healthcare for minorities, socioeconomic disparities becoming less pronounced, and changes in lifestyle habits among racial groups.
The National Healthcare Disparities Report has highlighted that even after insurance differences are adjusted, there is still a significantly poorer quality of care and less access for racial and ethnic minority groups. To address these disparities, efforts have been made to improve healthcare access, enhance health literacy, and increase representation of African Americans in medical research.
Additionally, socioeconomic improvements have played a role in reducing health disparities, while lifestyle changes, also influenced by geographic location, have contributed to better health outcomes among historically underserved communities.