While many may know that the leading cause of death in the U.S. is heart disease, life expectancy varies greatly by ZIP code. That’s right, zip code. You can live in one neighborhood in a city and live shorter than someone else in another zip code in the same city. For the first time in our history, the United States is raising a generation of children who may live sicker and shorter lives than their parents. Reversing this trend will of course depend on healthy choices by each of us. But not everyone in America has the same opportunities to be healthy.
In a new joint project from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation you can see the life expectancy in your neighborhood. Just click this link.
The U.S. Small-area Life Expectancy Estimates Project analyzed death records from 2010-2015 in every state except Maine and Wisconsin, where data was incomplete, to calculate a life expectancy for residents of every neighborhood.
The CDC’s life expectancy estimates are based on deaths in each census tract—the closest thing to a neighborhood—from 2010 to 2015. While some neighborhoods may have changed since then, particularly in places like San Francisco and New York, for the most part this remains a good estimate of how long the typical person residing in a given area might live. (For some places with a small number of deaths, the researchers used a statistical model to estimate life expectancy based on the trends in demographically similar neighborhoods.)
With a statewide average of 81.3 years, California’s 35-plus million residents enjoy the second-highest life expectancy in the United States (at an average 82 years, Hawaii residents live the longest). In wealthy suburbs, though, lifespans stretch longer.
What’s interesting is that number 9, 10 and 11 of the cities with the people who live the longest is in the state of
Texas. All are actually suburbs of Dallas as a matter of fact.
#9) Plano, Texas
Plano, where people live almost 82 years on average, makes the grade for quality of life on Livability’s top 100 list. This Texas town is also a thriving corporate hub, with big names like Dr Pepper, Pizza Hut, and J.C. Penney headquartered there.
#10) McKinney, Texas
In McKinney, the average lifespan is almost 82 years, and the city ranks high for factors that increase longevity, including the use of preventive services (34.75 percent) and annual checkups (69.3 percent). Residents and visitors alike take advantage of local attractions like the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary.
#11) McAllen, Texas
Texas is a hot spot for long-lifers, some of whom reside in McAllen, where folks live, on average, up to 81 years or more. Community spirit reigns in this border town, and immigrants are welcome, resulting in a booming local economy that’s powered by diversity.
The average life expectancy in the U.S. has been on the decline for three consecutive years.
A baby born in 2017 is expected to live to be 78.6 years old, which is down from 78.7 the year before, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.
The last three years represent the longest consecutive decline in the American lifespan at birth since the period between 1915 and 1918, which included World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic, events that killed many millions worldwide.
Before the recent decline, life expectancy had been steadily rising in the U.S. — which is to be expected of an advanced nation, particularly one that spends more money per citizen on health care than any other country.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
