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.