HEALTH: U.S. Life Expectancy Drops for Second Straight Year

HEALTH: U.S. Life Expectancy Drops for Second Straight Year

The average life expectancy in the U.S. dropped for a second consecutive year in 2021, according to a new government report issued today.

The report shows a three-year drop in the estimated American lifespan since the beginning of the pandemic. It's the largest decrease since the height of World War II. The average American lifespan is now 76 years and one month. In 2019, it was 78 years and 10 months. The CDC blames much of the drop on COVID-19 deaths, along with an increase in the number of drug overdoses, suicides, and cases of heart and liver disease. (New York Times)

Scott's Thoughts:

• The continued decline comes despite the COVID vaccine saving lives.
• The average life expectancy for women is just over 79 years, compared to 73 for men.
• The Native American community has the lowest life expectancy at 65. Asian Americans have the highest life expectancy at 83-and-a-half years.