US States By Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is a statistical measure of the incidence of poverty and refers to the average period of time a person expects to live from the time they were born. Life expectancy is based on current age and other demographic factors. A higher life expectancy indicates a high quality of life and access to a good health care system.

Factors That Affect The Life Expectancy Of A Population

Life expectancy is influenced by different factors in the various regions of the world for instance life expectancy in the third world countries is affected by inadequate health care, diet, and low standards of living. The economic circumstances of a country can also affect the life expectancy of the population and that is why life expectancy in richer countries tends to be higher than in poorer nations. Economic circumstances reflect on factors such as the ability to access good medical care, proper diet, and a healthy lifestyle. Thus economic inequality plays a prominent role determining life expectancy.

The gender difference is another factor affecting the life expectancy of a nation. For example, female fetuses have a lesser mortality rate as compared to male fetuses, typically 100 females to 107-170 males. However, the ratio at birth in the US is 100 female to 105 males. Among premature babies, female infants tend to have a higher survival rate as compared to male infants. Eventually, women generally have a higher life expectancy than men. Lifestyle is another factor that affects life expectancy, for example; individuals who consume more alcohol and tobacco, abuse drugs and are not keen on their dietary intake tend to have a lower expectancy since they are most prone to diseases and fatal accidents.

Life Expectancy In The US

In 2012, the average life expectancy in the US based on race, age, and sex was 78.8 years. Currently, life expectancy in the US has dropped for the first time in many decades. Obesity, heart diseases, cancer and unintentional injuries highly contribute to the country's life expectancy

Reasons Of High Life Expectancy In The Country

One of the key reasons for high life expectancy in the US is better healthcare. For example, better treatment of cardiovascular diseases has substantially increased life expectancy in the US. The advancement of pharmaceutical technology and the health system generally also significantly influences the life expectancy in the US.

US States With The Highest Life Expectancy

Hawaii has the highest life expectancy. The state’s life expectancy is 81.3 years with the second lowest obesity rate of 22.1%. Hawaii has the 7th lowest poverty rate accounting for only 11.4%. Hawaii is the least stressed state in the entire country which could have a profound effect on life expectancy.

US State With The Lowest Life Expectancy

Mississippi is the US state with the lowest life expectancy. The state has a life expectancy of 75.0 years with the third highest obesity rate of 35.5%. Mississippi has been deemed the worst state to live in due to its high poverty and unemployment rates. The state has the highest poverty rate which is estimated at more than 20%. The state also has poor education rankings which are lower than the national average.

Future Trends

The life expectancy of US has been falling behind and is projected to go even lower. Tobacco, obesity, dietary risk, and lifestyle are the main factors that affect the country’s life expectancy at present. Despite the US being a first world country, its life expectancy is growing at a slower rate than the rest of the developed nations. The younger generation in the United States is at risk due to early mortality which is dominated by injury, death, and other factors.