Final answer:
The average life expectancy of the poorest Americans is 10 to 15 years shorter than that of the wealthiest Americans, reflecting socioeconomic and ethnic disparities within the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average life expectancy of the poorest Americans is not the same as that of the wealthiest Americans. In fact, social epidemiology studies suggest that the average life expectancy varies significantly across different socioeconomic and ethnic groups within the United States. For instance, African Americans have a notably shorter life expectancy compared to Whites, with African American males having a life expectancy approximately five years shorter than that of White males. Moreover, poverty and associated lifestyles, which often coincide with ethnicity, substantially influence these disparities. As such, the correct answer to the original question would be (c) 10 to 15 years shorter than the average life expectancy of the wealthiest Americans, acknowledging the profound impact that wealth disparity can have on life expectancy within the country.