Life Expectancy in U.S. Rises, Still Below Pre-Pandemic Rates
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
Jan. 1, 2024 — Average life expectancy in the U.S. declined after the pandemic ravaged the country in 2020, dropping to 77.5. But 5 years later, it has risen slightly above that figure , although still below the pre-pandemic rate of 78.8. Men’s expectancy is almost 6 years lower than women’s. If you make it to age 65, your life expectancy will be higher than these factors.
Retirement Living has an excellent article on “Life Expectancy Statistics” with many insights. Some of those are:
U.S life expectancy ranks 48th in the world. That seems pretty embarrassing considering that In 2022, the US spent an estimated $12,742 per person on healthcare, more than double the average for wealthy OECD countries. Poor lifestyle choices, obesity, and lack of access and preventative care are among the key factors in our poor ranking. Hong Kong has the highest life expectancy at 85.6.
Hawaii has the highest state life expectancy at 79.9, with Connecticut and Massachusetts close behind. Mississippi ranks at the bottom with 70.9. Now that Louisiana is prohibiting public health officials to discuss vaccines, watch for it take over the race to the bottom.
World life expectancy has doubled since 1900, from 32 to 72 years.
Heart disease is the highest cause of death in the U.S., followed closely by cancer. Trailing those are accidents and Covid.
There is a 50% chance that at least one member of a 65-year-old, different-sex couple will live to age 93 and a 25% chance that one will reach age 97.
Comments? How do you rate your chances of living beyond the average life expectancy? What factors do you think result in longer lives? Please comment below.
Comments on "Life Expectancy in U.S. Rises, Still Below Pre-Pandemic Rates"
Admin says:
Good question. My mother lived to 102, and my father passed at 92. You would think I should at least make it into my 90s, since I am in great shape and my lifestyle choices haven't been too bad. But I seem to have inherited my father's health genes: he had prostate cancer, so did I. He had heart failure when he was older than I am now, it seems like I am starting to have that problem now. Meanwhile, I am going to try to enjoy every minute with family, friends, and experiences.
Dennis Beshears says:
I’m trying to live a healthy balanced life with exercise 2 to 3 times a week, and I cook most of the time. I like the information you are delivering with ages from parents, my mother died early due to complications in surgery, and my dad is still alive at age 89.
JCarol says:
My parents and parents in-law all lived into their 90s. DH's sister ignored her diabetes and sadly paid the price with a death at 64. His other siblings and mine are healthy and in their 70s.
I'm in a happy marriage, am close physically and emotionally to our children, grandchildren, and friends. Exercise daily, including doing balance exercise, eat a primarily plant-based, low fat diet, maintain a healthy weight with 21 range BMI, get annual physicals and am fully vaccinated. Have no financial, mobility or health problems.
Average life expectancy statistics become less relevant as we get older because "average life span" takes into consideration ALL from birth forward. It more than doubled from 1900-2020 because of childhood vaccinations, antibiotics, improvements in sanitation, and healthcare breakthroughs. Getting humans HEALTHILY past our 90s will be a more challenging slog.
Were I born today, my life expectancy is 79 according to the SSA tables. However, I'm now 72 and my life expectancy has improved to age 86.5. My husband's is 84.4. By the time people enter their 70s they've increased their longevity odds by outliving most early causes of death.
Heart disease, cancer, accidents, Covid, strokes and chronic diseases are much more likely to take us out than birth defects, SIDS, homicide, suicide, recreational drug abuse, pregnancy complications, or firearm injuries.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/STATS/table4c6.html
Daryl says:
We were so lucky not to experience the poisons growing up that our children and grandchildren have to deal with today that seem to be out of our control, every week hearing about a new cancerous chemical that you’ve been eating, breathing, or wearing. (Had a list a mile long, but you’ve heard it all before.) Just read an article about the drastic increase in colon cancer in young people and studies think it starts in the gut from processed food and pollutants ramping up inflammation. So I fear for the life expectancy of our descendants. My grandma made it to 99.5, parents 86 & 90. Spouse and I are counting our blessings at 72, exercising, trying to eat healthier, hanging with the grandchild outdoors, and jump-starting an attitude reboot trying to acknowledge the negative while look towards positive solutions still in our control—it’s an uphill challenge, but better than quitting early.