United States Life Span Expectancy Lags Behind Many Countries
Author: Rice University
Published: 2012/06/22 - Updated: 2024/10/07
Publication Type: Informative - Peer-Reviewed: Yes
Topic: Longevity and Life Span (Publications Database)
Page Content: Synopsis Definition Introduction Main Item
Synopsis: Despite modest longevity gains in lifespan over the past 100 years, the United States still trails many countries when it comes to life expectancy.
Why it matters: The article below provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to longevity and healthy aging. It offers a comprehensive overview of the world's oldest people, their lifestyles, and the common traits they share. This information is particularly useful for individuals interested in understanding the secrets to living a long and healthy life. The article highlights the importance of genetics, diet, exercise, and social connections in promoting longevity, making it a helpful resource for those seeking practical advice on improving their own health and potentially extending their lifespan - Disabled World.
Introduction
Poorer US citizens live five years less than affluent fellow citizens - Despite modest gains in lifespan over the past century, the United States still trails many of the world's countries when it comes to life expectancy, and its poorest citizens live approximately five years less than more affluent persons, according to a new study from Rice University and the University Colorado at Boulder.
Main Item
The study "Stagnating Life Expectancies and Future Prospects in an Age of Uncertainty" used time-series analysis to evaluate historical data on U.S. mortality from the Human Mortality Database. The study authors reviewed data from 1930 through 2000 to identify mortality trends and forecast life expectancy to 2055. Their research will be published in an upcoming issue of Social Science Quarterly.
Although the researchers found that the U.S. can expect very moderate gains in the coming years (less than an additional three years through 2055), the U.S. still trails its developed counterparts in life expectancy. For example, the average life expectancy in the U.S. for a person born today is 78.49, which is significantly lower than people born in Monaco, Macau and Japan, which have the three highest life expectancies (89.68, 84.43 and 83.91 years, respectively).
In addition, the most deprived U.S. citizens tend to live five years less than their more affluent fellow citizens, according to Justin Denney, Rice's assistant sociology professor, who was the study's principal author.
Denney said that in 1930, the average life expectancy in the United States was 59.85. By 2000, it rose to 77.1 years.
"But when broken down, these numbers show that those gains were mostly experienced between 1930, the 1950s, and 1960s," he said. "Since that time, gains in life expectancy have flattened out."
"During periods of expansion in length of life, a similar expansion has occurred between more and less advantaged groups - the rich get richer, the poor get poorer, inequality grows, and life expectancy is dramatically impacted," Denney said.
"And despite disproportionate spending on health care, life expectancy in the U.S. continues to fall down the ladder of international rankings of length of life. It goes to show that prosperity doesn't necessarily equal long-term health."
Denney said many chronic conditions that have led to smaller gains in life expectancy are more easily treated when people are more financially stable. He said the study shows "the ugly side of the inequality," and he hopes it will draw attention to the fact that more needs to be done to address stagnating life expectancies in the U.S. and eliminate inequalities in the U.S.
"Even in uncertain times, it is important to look forward in preparing for the needs of future populations," Denney said. "The results presented here underscore the relevance of policy and health initiatives aimed at improving the nation's health and reveal important insight into possible limits to mortality improvement over the next five decades."
The paper was co-authored by Robert McNown, Richard Rogers, and Steven Doubilet at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Rice University and the University of Colorado-Boulder funded this study.
Related Information
- U.S. Disability Statistics by State, County, City and Age
- Why Do Females Live Longer than Males?
- U.S. Turns to Holistic Healthcare as Life Expectancy Declines
- Americans Living Longer But with Disability or Health Issues
- U.S. Life Expectancy Falls Behind Healthiest Nations
- Average Life Span Expectancy Chart
- United States Life Span Expectancy Lags Behind Many Countries
- American Life Expectancy Continues to Fall Behind Other Countries
Attribution/Source(s):
This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Rice University, and published on 2012/06/22 (Edit Update: 2024/10/07), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Rice University can be contacted at rice.edu. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.
Explore Similar Topics
1 - Human Life Expectancy Growth Slows, Defying Medical Progress - Paper offers new evidence that humans are approaching a biologically based limit to length of life span.
2 - Why Some People Live to Be a 100 - Studying 176 healthy Japanese centenarians researchers learn the combination of intestinal bacteria and bacterial viruses of these people is quite unique.
3 - Children of Helicopter Parents Tend to Live Less Longer - Analysis of data for nearly 1,000 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing born in the 1950s and 1960s discovered children's relationships with parents influence longevity.
Complete Publications Database
Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer
Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.
Cite This Page (APA): Rice University. (2012, June 22 - Last revised: 2024, October 7). United States Life Span Expectancy Lags Behind Many Countries. Disabled World. Retrieved November 7, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/fitness/longevity/long-age.php
Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/longevity/long-age.php">United States Life Span Expectancy Lags Behind Many Countries</a>: Despite modest longevity gains in lifespan over the past 100 years, the United States still trails many countries when it comes to life expectancy.
Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.