When gauging the longevity of a healthy person, the closest thing to consider is life expectancy. According to the National Center for Health Statistics’ most recent data, a baby born in 2021 in the US has an average life expectancy of approximately 76 years.
Life expectancy in the US declined over the past two years
Life expectancy depends on sex, age, ethnicity and race, and where someone lives. Surprisingly, a recent National Center for Health Statistics report revealed a shocking drop in longevity and an increase in the death rate.
Life expectancy in the US has been on the rise up, from 47 years in 1900 to 89 years in 2019. However it dropped in 2020 to 77 years, and last year it dropped to 76. This is the biggest decline since 1920. Different groups of Americans have different life expectancies, with some faring better than others.
For instance, the Alaskan Natives and American Indians saw their life expectancy drop more than other ethnicities to 65.2 years. That of Black Americans dropped to 70.8 years, while White Americans have a longer life expectancy of 76.4 years. Asian Americans are the group that lives longer for 83.5 years on average. Surprisingly, women tend to live more than 79.1 years than men, with a life expectancy of 73.2 years.
Covid and drug overdose are among the factors for the decline in life expectancy.
Life expectancy in the US is dropping because of accidental injury, drug overdoses, and Covid-19. According to the 2022 report, the factors accounted for almost two-thirds of the decline. The drop might have been bigger were it not for the decrease in pneumonia, chronic lung disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and influenza.
There were significant disparities in life expectancy declines over the past two years attributed to social health determinants. For instance, people in the US with the least life expectancies typically experience the highest levels of poverty, food insecurity, and lack of health care, all of which affect life expectancy. These groups also have high-risk jobs, live in overcrowded areas, and don’t have access to vaccination.
