Are you curious to know what your expected lifespan is?
The median age varies from state to state, but the national average as of 2021 is 38. Some people consider this old nowadays, while some think there’s still room for some fun and excitement before truly becoming old. However, attitudes change when you look at the average expected lifespan in US cities.
Knowing life expectancies in different states is important, so you can realize how close you are to yours. It helps get yourself in the right frame of mind to make the most of what you’re expected to have left.
To learn the average lifespan of each state in the US, continue reading what we’ve prepared below. See how well you fare and find out what you can do to improve your chances of living a long life.
Average Lifespans
The average American will have their lifespan determined by their gender. Women live longer than men by an average of five years. As it stands, the average male can live up to 76.1 years while women can live up to 81.1 years.
The average age isn’t consistent across the different states, though. Many factors can steer the lifestyle of the people living in different states. Because of this, people in some states will live longer than others.
States With Highest Life Expectancies
Only a handful of states deserve the recognition of being a healthy state. They are well above the national average, which is 78.6 years. Here’s a list of the 10 states with the longest life expectancies:
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
- Washington
- Colorado
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- New York
- Minnesota
- California
- Hawaii
Among these states, Hawaii has the longest life expectancy in the country. Residents of the state can live up to an average of 81.5 years. Vermont and Massachusetts are the lowest among the 10, but are only a few years off, both having an average of 79.9 years.
States With Lowest Life Expectancies
Among the 50 states in the country, 10 fall far below the country’s average. The 10 states with the lowest life expectancies are:
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Louisiana
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- Alabama
- West Virginia
- Mississippi
Residents of Ohio have an average life expectancy of 76.6 years. While below average, it’s still not too bad compared to Mississippi’s 74.6 years, a full 7.1 years behind Hawaii.
A part of this is because of Mississippi’s adult obesity rate, which is the highest among the states at 39.7%. It’s among the least healthy states in the country, together with Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
It’s often noted that their low average lifespan is a product of their lifestyle. Many in these states often partake in excessive drinking, which many believe to link with cancer and heart disease.
Compared to Other Countries
Among the different high-income countries, the USA ranks last in life expectancy. Many point to having limited access to healthcare as the root cause of the country’s low ranking. Take Canada, for example, which is famous for having accessible healthcare for its citizens.
The average life expectancy from birth for Canadian males is 80 years, a full 3.7 years compared to American males. Canada is even below the international average for high-income countries.
Effect of the Previous Years
Limited access to healthcare aside, the country’s average life expectancy was trending positively. It was after 2019 that the country’s average had a significant drop.
Why was this the case? It was because of the country’s poor handling of the pandemic. The blame doesn’t fall completely on the government, though. Distrust in the attempts to keep the outbreak at manageable levels also played a role in the drop.
However, women live longer than men, still. Even with what happened, the average for an American woman didn’t change. It caused the life expectancy difference between men and women to increase by five years.
Improving Life Expectancies
What’s great is that no matter where you are and under what circumstances, you can live past your state’s average life expectancy. Simple changes to aspects of your lifestyle can affect your lifespan.
Hygiene
Keeping yourself and your surroundings clean improves your general health. Good personal hygiene is the key to keeping your skin from breaking. Washing areas like your armpits and groin prevent the growth of certain bacteria.
These bacteria can cause skin irritation, which may lead you to scratch the area. Scratches break the skin, allowing fungi, viruses, and parasites to enter your body.
Cleaning your surroundings does a similar goal. Doing so removes bacteria and prevents foreign bodies from becoming a threat.
Diet and Nutrition
A balanced diet is the key to living a long life. Certain foods like beans, nuts, and other veggies are rich in fiber and antioxidants. They lower the risks of disease and help in cleaning out your body.
It’s also important to keep yourself from overindulging in anything. Eating too much of anything can cause the overproduction of hormones. These are what lead to diseases like hyperthyroidism and diabetes.
If you’re unable to keep a diet, you can still become healthy with functional medicine. Here, an expert analyzes your saliva and bloodwork to come up with a nutrition protocol. This is tailor-made to fit your case, so you can be sure it will cover all nutritional bases.
Physical Activity
No self-care regime is complete without physical activity. It’s not a coincidence that many of the states with low life expectancies have high obesity rates. Combined with their unhealthy lifestyle, many don’t keep themselves physically active.
Individuals who exercise have a lower risk of premature death than those who don’t. Even a 15-minute routine can extend your lifespan by a considerable amount. This is all because of the fat you’re preventing from building up in your body.
Learn All About the Average Expected Lifespan in US Cities Today
The average lifespan in US cities will differ because of the lifestyle associated with each state. Learn what yours is and see what you can do to improve it. Live a healthy lifestyle and start living a longer life today!
Do you want more tips that help you lead a healthier life? Check out the other guides we have and improve your health and home management skills today!
