Posted on 02/04/2014 9:20:49 AM PST by James C. Bennett
Americans are living longer, healthier lives79.8 years on averageranking 35th in the world in terms of life expectancy from birth. But where you live in the United States has a drastic impact on how far over or under the average your personal timeline will be. This illuminating map by the non-profit Measure of America shows how long you've likely got, and what country it's most similar to.
Hawaiians top the longevity list with an average age of 81.3 yearsequal to Barbados but still lagging far behind Japan's average of 84 yearswhile Mississippi is dead last with a paltry average age of just 75 years, which is Syria-level expectancy.
There are a myriad of factors that impact one's lifespanfrom environment, to diet, to healthcare access, to income, to demographics, and these figures only constitute a general trend for each state. Still, it's interesting to see that even as America sees itself as the world's hegemonic power cannot match the clean living habits of many European and Asian nations. [The Atlantic]
Image: Olga Khazan/measureofamerica.org L
Very interesting statistics.
Texas 78.5? I’m good with that.
My father is 88, still ticking.
My grandmother lived to be 98.
So you cannot assume anything by averages. hee hee hee
79 for Virginia. Funny how 79 used to seem ancient not too long ago. Now in my mid 50’s 79 seems pretty young!
California and New York over 80? Maybe they are given more time to repent!
Tennessee is only 76.3 Only the good die young. I’m not giving up my Southern Cooking!
California and New York over 80? Maybe they are given more time to repent!
Tennessee is only 76.3 Only the good die young. I’m not giving up my Southern Cooking!
I’d like to see a map like that for 100 years ago. Looks to me like basic food and sanitation can extend lives anywhere and everywhere.
Smells like a setup for more “see the U.S. does NOT have the world’s best health care system” propaganda to me.
The very reason social security will go belly up soon. Unless the old folks make a stink about it. (I suspect they will)
In general it looks like the colder states do a bit better than the warmer states.
These so called scientists and statisticians go out of there way to find statistics that make the South look bad and the people unhealthy.
On average we all have one ovary and one testicle.
These broad brushstroke statistics are meaningless without a breakdown by race, gender and ethnicity. Otherwise, it’s apples to oranges.
I see Virginia is at 79. That is more than long enough for me (late 50s).
“Very interesting statistics.”
Yes, so why are the so-called “key” liberal states at the top? Lifestyle?, Weather?, Medical Care? It would be interesting to know.
Me, too -- and I'm 76, lookin' at 77...
Why? Because years spent in Texas are good years!!!
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Besides, the title is deceptive. "Closest to" implies physical proximity. The life expectancy in Mexico is 76.9 years, so the pollution of Texas' population with criminal alien invaders obviously drags our average down.
As to the actual "mot numerically similar to" comparison, who gives a rat's patootie what little country across the pond has similar problems?
13 years of age 81 in MN includs being frozen solid in suspended animation.
It’s a good thing Chicago has so many drive by shootings or they’d be milking the government an extra 10 years.
After my genealogy research I no longer buy life expectancy averages.
All through my family back into the 1500s I found lots of people living well into their 80s and even into their 90s regardless of wealth or social standing. I did find a lot of things that would drive the overall averages down.
A lot of women died fairly young after having 9 or 12 children. Of those 9 or 12 children it wasn’t unusual for 4 or 5 to die before 10 years old. Prior to 1850 or so it wasn’t unusual for men in my family to outlive 2 or 3 wives. Of the men who died before 40, a large percentage were sailors.
I also noticed a tendency of 2nd and 3rd wives to have fewer children and live longer themselves.
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