U.S. life expectancy drops sharply, the second consecutive decline

[Hydrogen]

Americans born in 2021 can expect to live for just 76.1 years — the lowest life expectancy has been since 1996, according to a new government analysis published Wednesday. This is the biggest two-year decline — 2.7 years in total — in almost 100 years.

The Covid-19 pandemic is the primary cause of the decline. However, increases in the number of people dying from overdoses and accidents is also a significant factor.

American Indian and Alaskan Native people have experienced a particularly precipitous drop in life expectancy since 2019, going from 71.8 to 65.2 years. This kind of loss is similar to the plunge seen for all Americans after the Spanish Flu, said Robert Anderson, the chief of the mortality statistics branch of the National Center for Health Statistics, a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It’s a ridiculous decline,” Anderson said. “When I saw a 6.6 year decline over two years, my jaw dropped. … I made my staff re-run the numbers to make sure.”

Life expectancy isn’t really a prediction for a single individual. It’s more like a check engine light — an indicator for the health of society as a whole. When more people die than would be expected, or when they die at younger ages than expected, then life expectancy will decline.

“Life expectancy is an interesting measure, because it emphasizes deaths that occur at younger ages,” Anderson explained. “A death at a younger age basically takes away more years of potential life than again in older age.”



Image link:  https://i.ibb.co/wCyPZFC/us-life-expectancy.jpg

For decades, Americans saw steadily rising life expectancies. Efforts to reduce smoking contributed to this increase in the 1990s and 2000s, because fewer people were dying of related conditions, like cardiovascular disease. American mortality data has been collected since at least 1900.

But American life expectancy began to stagnate around 2010 — while other developed countries continued to see gains, Anderson noted.

This year’s life expectancy figure is 0.9 years lower than last year’s. Covid-19 accounted for about half of the decline, and a category encompassing accidents and unintentional injuries is responsible for another 16%. That category includes overdoses; in fact, about half of the unintentional injury deaths in this analysis were due to overdoses.

“We think that the increase in drug overdoses during the pandemic is partly due to the pandemic, but probably not wholly due to the pandemic,” he said. “It'll be interesting to see [what happens] as the pandemic abates — assuming that it does, hopefully it will.”

Although deaths from heart disease were the third biggest contributor to the decline in life expectancy, the number of people dying from this condition actually decreased. “With heart disease, we did see increases in mortality at younger ages — from ages 35 to 64 in particular,” Anderson said.

Not every demographic group saw the same changes, the researchers found. Asian-Americans have the highest life expectancy of any group — 83.5 years — and only saw a 0.1 year decline from 2020. Meanwhile, Black Americans lost 0.7 years between 2020 to 2021.

But American Indian and Native Americans saw the largest loss of life expectancy of all — 1.9 years less than 2020’s life expectancy, and 6.6 years less than 2019’s. They also had the lowest life expectancy among the groups studied. (Historically, Native Americans’ life expectancy has been staying level even in years when the life expectancy of the entire population did increase, one recent study found.)

The data used for this analysis is still technically incomplete, Anderson noted; it includes about 99% of the deaths that the researchers expected to have. The precise figures could change when the final analysis is released in December.

https://www.statnews.com/2022/08/31/u-s-life-expectancy-drops-sharply-the-second-consecutive-decline/

....


They're claiming a 6.6 year decline in US life expectancy in a 2 year period. Which they claim is comparable to the spanish flu.

Numbers cited here appear to be preliminary. The revised statistics will hopefully be more believable.

The data used for this analysis is still technically incomplete, Anderson noted; it includes about 99% of the deaths that the researchers expected to have. The precise figures could change when the final analysis is released in December.

During the 2008 economic crisis, the recession contributed to steep rises in suicide rates, violence and crime. I would expect a similar trend today with inflation, gas and food prices being what they are.

One interesting point here is, for life expectancy to fall that much. A significant number of youth have to be affected. The article mentions drug overdoses ranking highly in rising mortality rates. There has been considerable news recently of fentanyl overdoses being a big issue. A quick keyword search reveals the fatal overdose quantity for fentanyl can be as low as 0.002 grams. I hope people are taking steps to protect themselves is they use substances like fentanyl.

If a fatal dosage of fentanyl is 0.002 grams. What does a dosage that size even look like? Is it easy to measure on a scale? I think this is the type of information people need. But there doesn't appear to be much urgency to cover the topic.

[mk4]

Hard to be really surprised knowing how much obesity(and the fact that rates seems to be climbing based on data[1] up to 2018) is present among US citizens, and then add the fact that COVID(or probably almost any other illness/disease) has probably far worse effects on obese/unhealthy people.

[1] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity

[crwth]

This is considered a collective average, right? That this isn't for a single individual that will make it to a high age or not. It's about when a particular individual is predicted to die of young or old age, correct? I think that's the life expectancy means.

Anyway, this is another excellent source.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/20220831.htm

It includes race and what the expected rates are in the corresponding years.

[Gayong88]

The recent decline in life expectancy does little to shake the country's long-term picture. Life expectancy continues to improve and is still one of the highest in the world. But everyone needs to understand how even slight changes in death rates can alter the overall number when large populations are considered. The overall trend of rising life expectancy, which has been in place since the late 20th century, appears to be reversing. Obviously, there are a number of factors in play here But nevertheless, the data indicate we should be concerned about these recent developments.

[BADecker]

Some 60 million abortions in the US. They haven't stopped yet. God's gonna get them for this.

[OgNasty]

I think we've reached the point in society where the oversight of companies is so compromised that they're literally being allowed to sell us toxic poison under the guise of food.  The problem with microplastics in our processed food has gotten so out of control that cancer is a common thing for us all.  I think if people knew what was in their food, or what was being fed to their food, it would not only cause outrage, but maybe would lead to actual change.  The problem is that schools will never teach this and people who learn disturbing facts on their own are considered conspiracy theorists as a result.

[Gyfts]

This is considered a collective average, right? That this isn't for a single individual that will make it to a high age or not. It's about when a particular individual is predicted to die of young or old age, correct? I think that's the life expectancy means.

Correct. Life expectancy does not account for overall health status either. It would treat someone that is 50 years old and healthy the same way as a 50 year old that is obese. Obviously different projected life expectancies.

Anyways - If it is true that overdoses contribute to lowering of life expectancies, then only anticipate the number of OD's to increase after the government decided it was a good idea to take a depressed society and confine them to their homes for an indefinite period. Whatever economic woes will compound the issue, the roots will have been the lockdowns.

[Queentoshi]

I think we've reached the point in society where the oversight of companies is so compromised that they're literally being allowed to sell us toxic poison under the guise of food.  The problem with microplastics in our processed food has gotten so out of control that...

Exactly, a lot of nutrients supposed to obtained naturally are now manufactured and produced by mixture of chemicals. I don't know if to blame science or that these nutrients are now becoming more difficult and almost impossible to get. Packaged foods have also been praised as better food option to natural organic meals, we now have less vegetables and fruits in our diets.

[Moneyprism]

Not every demographic group saw the same changes, the researchers found. Asian-Americans have the highest life expectancy of any group — 83.5 years — and only saw a 0.1 year decline from 2020. Meanwhile, Black Americans lost 0.7 years between 2020 to 2021.

i'm not too surprised when the life expectancy of the asian-american community is quite high,,, because i think most asian people do take care of their food and are not too "free" in their lifestyle.. but besides that i see that obesity is still the most serious problem on americans and especially covid in 2019 and then i think it also has a huge impact on public health

[Zlantann]

One interesting point here is, for life expectancy to fall that much. A significant number of youth have to be affected. The article mentions drug overdoses ranking highly in rising mortality rates. There has been considerable news recently of fentanyl overdoses being a big issue. A quick keyword search reveals the fatal overdose quantity for fentanyl can be as low as 0.002 grams. I hope people are taking steps to protect themselves is they use substances like fentanyl.

If a fatal dosage of fentanyl is 0.002 grams. What does a dosage that size even look like? Is it easy to measure on a scale? I think this is the type of information people need. But there doesn't appear to be much urgency to cover the topic.

The rate of drug overdose is also increasing in my country. Just recently three female students were found dead in a room and drug samples was found in their rooms. Depression, frustration and financial challenges due to high rate unexpected layoff and unemployment is also fueling the increase in drug use. The recent discoveries of drug producing laboratories in different residential areas in my locality is a proof that there is an increase in drug use.

I think we've reached the point in society where the oversight of companies is so compromised that they're literally being allowed to sell us toxic poison under the guise of food.  The problem with microplastics in our processed food has gotten so out of control that...

Exactly, a lot of nutrients supposed to obtained naturally are now manufactured and produced by mixture of chemicals. I don't know if to blame science or that these nutrients are now becoming more difficult and almost impossible to get. Packaged foods have also been praised as better food option to natural organic meals, we now have less vegetables and fruits in our diets.

Chemicals used in preserving food is causing more harm than good and the government is careless about this slow killers. These days the government seems very interested in how to propel economic recovery than the health of the people.They are pursuing increase in revenue generation through tax and import duties. Even when these products are unwholesome, they still protect these firms because of the fear of loosing tax revenue.

In my country there is little or no regulation as regards to the kind of products these food processing companies push into the market. Most of these consumer protection agencies are manned by corrupt officials that are only interested in receiving bribes from erring companies.       

[Ultegra134]

This is actually a great topic. We had this specific discussion a few months ago during a course for my Master's degree. We reviewed the latest edition of "Health at a Glance," a book by the OECD, which offers an extensive collection of indicators for OECD members and major emerging economies' population health and health care system performance. These cover health status, health risk factors, availability and quality of care, and health resources.

Below, you'll find how life expectancy significantly rose between 1970 and 2019 and how it suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic, with most surveyed countries facing reductions in just two years. The largest reductions in life expectancies can be found in the USA, Spain, Poland, Italy, and Lithuania, while Norway, Japan, Costa Rica, and Finland actually recorded a slight increase in life expectancy.

This is actually a great scientific book, and I'd advise you to go through it. It provides a great deal of interesting indicators regarding health subjects.

[BADecker]

^^^ It's called 'death expectancy' - death by vaccine. And it actually isn't as high as some medical professionals expected... not yet, anyway.

[theskillzdatklls]

Morbidly obese people with disgusting food and sedentary behavior. Who possibly could have ever predicted that that would lead to age decline and the fall of an empire.

[Mometaskers]

Haven't thought ODing is a big contributor to death in the US. I believe it's safe to assume that it has only increased during the lockdowns and would continue to rise with the current state of the economy. I suppose the years of bad nutrition is also catching up to Americans.

I think we've reached the point in society where the oversight of companies is so compromised that they're literally being allowed to sell us toxic poison under the guise of food.  The problem with microplastics in our processed food has gotten so out of control that...

Exactly, a lot of nutrients supposed to obtained naturally are now manufactured and produced by mixture of chemicals. I don't know if to blame science or that these nutrients are now becoming more difficult and almost impossible to get. Packaged foods have also been praised as better food option to natural organic meals, we now have less vegetables and fruits in our diets.

Healthy food tend to be more expensive than the less healthy ones so it seem to me that vitamin/mineral supplements are pretty much necessary these days. Especially with the changes in agriculture, even fresh produce today seem to have less flavor and nutrients. Personally we only keep processed food for emergencies and still try to cook at home.

[BADecker]

Haven't thought ODing is a big contributor to death in the US. I believe it's safe to assume that it has only increased during the lockdowns and would continue to rise with the current state of the economy. I suppose the years of bad nutrition is also catching up to Americans.

I think we've reached the point in society where the oversight of companies is so compromised that they're literally being allowed to sell us toxic poison under the guise of food.  The problem with microplastics in our processed food has gotten so out of control that...

Exactly, a lot of nutrients supposed to obtained naturally are now manufactured and produced by mixture of chemicals. I don't know if to blame science or that these nutrients are now becoming more difficult and almost impossible to get. Packaged foods have also been praised as better food option to natural organic meals, we now have less vegetables and fruits in our diets.

Healthy food tend to be more expensive than the less healthy ones so it seem to me that vitamin/mineral supplements are pretty much necessary these days. Especially with the changes in agriculture, even fresh produce today seem to have less flavor and nutrients. Personally we only keep processed food for emergencies and still try to cook at home.

Note that science doesn't want to look at spiritual things very much... the metaphysical. Yet such is the most important part of each person.

Everything works together. As long as people listen to science, and continue to ignore the metaphysical part that is involved, good nutrition and supplements will only work a little.

Sing to your garden plants songs of joy. Sing to God songs of joy. Sing joyfully to increase your spirit.

[paxmao]

It is a well known fact that life expectancy is linked to income levels. As an example I would use the deceased Queen Elizabeth of England - it is obvious that she exceeded the average expectancy of most, but also of most in the UK and England.

Jokes apart, the American dream is failing to many people and that also has to show in the life expectancy, but I am sure also in the stats for suicides, mental illness and other side effects.

[Ultegra134]

It is a well known fact that life expectancy is linked to income levels. As an example I would use the deceased Queen Elizabeth of England - it is obvious that she exceeded the average expectancy of most, but also of most in the UK and England.

Jokes apart, the American dream is failing to many people and that also has to show in the life expectancy, but I am sure also in the stats for suicides, mental illness and other side effects.

Of course, life expectancy is linked to income levels. Someone barely making the minimum wage doesn't have the same access to health care as someone well off, nor does he have the same working conditions as someone well off. The Queen not only had the best access to medicine and healthcare, but also a life with little to no manual labor and poor working and living conditions, something which the average Joe has to go through in order to survive in this rat race.

I couldn't find an index on income levels and life expectancy in the OECD's book "Health at a Glance,", but I did find something close. Life expectancy by education level, which is usually correlated to income levels. The following graph represents the gap between lower and higher education levels for men and women. A 30-year-old with lower education can anticipate having 5.2 less years of life than a 30-year-old with a higher education (a university degree or equivalent). The life expectancy difference between males with lower and higher education levels is over ten years in many central and eastern European nations (Slovak Republic, Latvia, Poland, and Hungary), where socioeconomic inequalities are particularly pronounced among men.