A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that American life expectancy has reached an all-time high, with an average lifespan of 79 years in 2024. However, the numbers vary significantly across different racial and ethnic groups, with a more than 20-year difference between those with the lowest and highest life expectancies.

States with the Shortest Lifespans

The report also identified the states with the shortest lifespans, with Alaska ranking 25th, Texas ranking 24th, and Montana ranking 23rd. Other states with shorter lifespans include South Dakota, Nevada, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Kansas, North Carolina, Michigan, Georgia, New Mexico, Missouri, and Ohio.

The life expectancy in these states is affected by various factors, including genetics, air quality, economic opportunities, and access to healthcare. Location also plays a significant role, with Southern states like West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Kentucky experiencing minimal growth in lifespan over the past century.

The report used data from the 2023 County Health Rankings, which calculated mortality counts from the 2018-2020 National Center for Health Statistics. The Census 2021 American Community Survey and America’s Health Rankings Senior Report 2023 data were also used to provide demographics on the senior population of each state and the state’s rank on senior healthcare, respectively.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.