A new study has revealed unsettling data about life expectancy in the United States, showing how likely Americans are to die based on where they live.
While health services have made significant strides in recent years, contributing to a rise in life expectancy, the data still paints a concerning picture.
In 2022, the average American man was expected to live to 74, while women had a higher life expectancy of 80 years.
This notable gender gap points to the significant role that gender plays in longevity, a finding supported by numerous studies over time. While many countries are seeing life expectancy improvements, some U.S. states have actually experienced a decline in recent years.
A study examining these trends was published in JAMA Network Open on Monday, April 28, using mortality data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Health care has improved massively over recent years (Getty Stock Photo)
In total, they found that 179 million deaths had been recorded across all 50 states and Washington D.C.
One striking finding was that life expectancy for women in Mississippi, West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas all declined by one year since 1995—while men’s life expectancy in these states held steady through 2020.
In Mississippi, the life expectancy for women dropped from 76 to 75, and in states like West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Alabama, it fell from 77 to 76.
The study didn’t explore the reasons behind these unexpected declines, although the Mail Online points out that Mississippi, for instance, is the poorest state in the U.S., which may be a factor.
Given the advancements in technology and health care over the past quarter-century, it’s not surprising that life expectancy has generally risen overall.
The study looked into life expectancy across the US (Getty Stock Photo)
For instance, in 1995, the average woman in Hawaii had a life expectancy of 74, but by 2020, that number had risen to 77.
This upward trend is also evident in states like California, Minnesota, Colorado, and Utah, among others.
Simply put, life expectancy in the US has increased by about ten percent for the younger generation compared to those born in the 1960s.
One limitation of the study is that it does not account for how the Covid pandemic may have influenced the data.
However, the rise in obesity and diabetes rates has led to a decline in the younger adult population in states across the southern part of the country.
