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The Data on Life Expectancies in the USA

Though the U.S. spends more on health care per capita than any other nation on earth, life expectancies within the country fall behind most other developed nations. A study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation covering life expectancies from 2000 to 2007 found that the U.S. ranks 37th internationally, and though other countries, such as Canada, have been noticing increased lifespans, people in the United States have actually seen a decline in life expectancy.

  1. Average U.S. life span

    • Tobacco use may be to blame for lower U.S. life expectancies

      Data from 2007 pegs the average life expectancy in the United States at an average of 77.9 years. In other words, people born in 2007 can expect to live almost 78 years. This rate pales in comparison to many European countries that have average life spans over 80. Doctors and researchers blame the relatively low U.S. life span on tobacco use and obesity. However, the data differs for individuals based on factors such as race and gender.

    Gender and race

    • Generally African-Americans have lower life expectancies than Caucasians. Researchers analyzed life expectancy data by county throughout the U.S., and found that the life expectancy for black women ranged from 69.9 to 82.6 years, and for black men it ranges from 59.4 to 77.2 years [U.S. Census Bureau, 2011]. In terms of gender, women generally have a higher life expectancy than men, though the two numbers have been converging over the past 40 years, as women's life spans have failed to rise as fast as men's life spans. The average life span for men is 75.4 years, while for women it is 80.4 years [U.S. Census Bureau, 2011].

    Men vs. Women

    • The trend towards convergence can be seen when comparing 2010 data with data from 1970, which shows a difference of more than seven years in men's and women's average life spans, as opposed to the five years difference apparent now. Men in 1970 lived up to 67.1 years old, on average, while women lived to 74.7 years.

    Men's Statistics

    • Scientists have come up with various reasons for the gender and race differences in life expectancies, with no agreement. However, the Congressional Research Service believes part of the reason for men's shorter life spans has to do with men starting cigarette smoking at an earlier age and more men than women smoking.

    Race Figures

    • A person's race in the U.S. can affect his lifestyle, and therefore, life span.

      When it comes to race differentials in life spans, scientists generally point toward the lower average income of black households as compared to white households. Mortality tends to decrease as income increases, and since blacks up until 2003 had the lowest household income in the United States as a race at $30,000 per household, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Blacks are more susceptible to health problems such as obesity, and have less accessibility to health care providers.

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