Life Expectancy Has Barely Changed in Some US States For More Than a Century
A new study highlights worrying differences in life expectancy trends across the United States, showing that states are far from equal when it comes to implementing public health measures and extending the lifespans of the people living within them.
Researchers from institutions in the US and Canada looked at records covering more than 179 million deaths between 1969 and 2020, using a birth cohort approach to the data – so figuring out how long people of each generation lived for. The statistics were extrapolated to cover life expectancy changes between 1900 and 2000.
"Looking at mortality trends by cohort gives us a more accurate reflection of the lived experiences of populations," says Theodore Holford, a biostatistician from the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH).
"It shows the long-term impact of policies and social conditions affecting the life course of populations that might otherwise be invisible in year-by-year comparisons of mortality rates from different generations."
While average life expectancy rose across the board for the years included in this study, there were major discrepancies between locations. For some states, especially in the South, there was little progress across a century of statistics.
The biggest gains in life expectancy were in the northeastern and western states, and the District of Columbia (DC). In fact, DC showed remarkable improvements: life expectancy rose by 30 years for women and 38 years for men, from the lowest level across any of the states in 1900.
These gaps are indicators of multiple factors, the researchers say, including socioeconomic conditions, access to healthcare, changing (or unchanging) demographics, and policies put in place by local governments.
"For females born in some Southern states, life expectancy increased by less than three years from 1900 to 2000," says Holford.
"That's a staggering contrast when you consider that in states like New York and California, life expectancy rose by more than 20 years over the same period."
There were stark differences too in mortality increases: how quickly your risk of death rises each year after 35. New York, DC, and Florida came out on top here, with Oklahoma, Iowa, and Kansas at the opposite end of the table.
The research team hopes that the study could inform policymakers to tailor interventions that boost life expectancy, such as healthcare access and environmental protections, based on the specific needs of different regions.
Unfortunately, massive cuts to US government funding for healthcare and health research could set that goal back dramatically.
Of course it's very difficult to pick out specific influences on life expectancy from such a broad collection of data, but it's clear that for now, where you live in the US goes a long way to determining how long you live.
"This research highlights the importance of viewing health through a generational lens," says Jamie Tam, a health policy expert at YSPH.
"The benefits of health interventions ripple across lifetimes. A failure to act early and invest in public health harms future generations as well."
The research has been published in JAMA Network Open.
These 3 Common Spices Could Be Interfering With Your Medication
Is Matcha The New Morning Brew? Here's What to Know About This Ancient Superfood.
Controversial New Study Links Parkinson's With Living Near a Golf Course
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Lifelong Learning: UWG Begins Three-Year Partnership With The Birches on Maple
CARROLLTON, Ga., June 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At the University of West Georgia, collaboration and partnership are cornerstones of a thriving and engaged community. Through a new three-year agreement with The Birches on Maple, a 55+ living community developed in partnership with Tanner Health, UWG will offer residents meaningful cultural experiences, educational programming and new ways to engage with the institution. Designed to foster lifelong learning and creativity, the partnership includes an exciting calendar of annual activities for Birches residents and augments an already robust offering of engaging outings and experiences – curated by the community's onsite Lifestyle Director and Activities Director. It also builds on Tanner's Get Healthy, Live Well program, which provides a variety of classes and resources that strengthen the connection between healthy habits and personal well-being. Each year, residents will have the opportunity to take part in a curated international trip centered on the arts and culture of a specific region. These trips, which are thoughtfully planned to be both fun and educational, are safe and all-inclusive. The inaugural adventure will take travelers to Italy to explore Italian history, art and culture through a variety of immersive experiences. "Travel is a powerful way to spark curiosity, build community, and deepen our understanding of the world," said Brandy Barker, UWG's chief creative officer and assistant vice president for placemaking. "By connecting global experiences with UWG's academic strengths, we're creating something truly unique for residents of The Birches." In addition to global travel, the collaboration brings the best of UWG directly to The Birches. Over the course of each year, UWG will host six creative workshops and six lectures on-site, offering opportunities for residents to explore topics ranging from memoir-writing and history of Southern language to gardening, painting and archeology. These sessions will be led by UWG faculty, staff and experts in their respective fields. "We're thrilled about the partnership with UWG and what it means for our residents," said Wayne Senfeld, executive vice president at Tanner Health. "We know that staying physically and mentally active is a vital aspect of overall well-being, and we're excited for our seniors at The Birches on Maple to be able to engage in these special events and learning opportunities. They will undoubtedly provide them with another outlet for creativity, social interaction, education and — most importantly — fun." This relationship doesn't end at The Birches. Residents will be hosted on campus throughout the year, including events overlooking RA-LIN Field in University Stadium during home UWG football games, reserved seating at home men's and women's basketball games and opportunities to attend campus lectures, holiday events and more. Adding to the beauty and inspiration of the community, each year will also see the installation of two new public art pieces at The Birches, developed in collaboration with UWG. "The relationship between Tanner and the University of West Georgia is so important," said Loy Howard, president and CEO of Tanner Health. "We work together in countless ways to give back to and support the local community – and what we're doing at The Birches is no different. This partnership will enrich the lives of these residents, allowing them to make the most of this next phase of their lives, and will help to create a stronger, healthier community for all." As UWG continues to expand its commitment to placemaking and community engagement, partnerships like this one with The Birches on Maple demonstrate how higher education can play a role in enhancing quality of life for people of all ages. "At the heart of this partnership is a belief in the power of experiences to inspire discovery and connection," said Dr. Ashwani Monga, UWG's interim president. "By bringing the university's academic offerings and experiential learning activities into the daily lives of The Birches residents, we're creating opportunities for lifelong learning for members of the Carrollton community." View source version on Contacts Tray Lowerytrlowery@ 770-812-6180
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
US health care is rife with high costs and deep inequities, and that's no accident – a public health historian explains how the system was shaped to serve profit and politicians
A few years ago, a student in my history of public health course asked why her mother couldn't afford insulin without insurance, despite having a full-time job. I told her what I've come to believe: The U.S. health care system was deliberately built this way. People often hear that health care in America is dysfunctional – too expensive, too complex and too inequitable. But dysfunction implies failure. What if the real problem is that the system is functioning exactly as it was designed to? Understanding this legacy is key to explaining not only why reform has failed repeatedly, but why change remains so difficult. I am a historian of public health with experience researching oral health access and health care disparities in the Deep South. My work focuses on how historical policy choices continue to shape the systems we rely on today. By tracing the roots of today's system and all its problems, it's easier to understand why American health care looks the way it does and what it will take to reform it into a system that provides high-quality, affordable care for all. Only by confronting how profit, politics and prejudice have shaped the current system can Americans imagine and demand something different. My research and that of many others show that today's high costs, deep inequities and fragmented care are predictable features developed from decades of policy choices that prioritized profit over people, entrenched racial and regional hierarchies, and treated health care as a commodity rather than a public good. Over the past century, U.S. health care developed not from a shared vision of universal care, but from compromises that prioritized private markets, protected racial hierarchies and elevated individual responsibility over collective well-being. Employer-based insurance emerged in the 1940s, not from a commitment to worker health but from a tax policy workaround during wartime wage freezes. The federal government allowed employers to offer health benefits tax-free, incentivizing coverage while sidestepping nationalized care. This decision bound health access to employment status, a structure that is still dominant today. In contrast, many other countries with employer-provided insurance pair it with robust public options, ensuring that access is not tied solely to a job. In 1965, Medicare and Medicaid programs greatly expanded public health infrastructure. Unfortunately, they also reinforced and deepened existing inequalities. Medicare, a federally administered program for people over 64, primarily benefited wealthier Americans who had access to stable, formal employment and employer-based insurance during their working years. Medicaid, designed by Congress as a joint federal-state program, is aimed at the poor, including many people with disabilities. The combination of federal and state oversight resulted in 50 different programs with widely variable eligibility, coverage and quality. Southern lawmakers, in particular, fought for this decentralization. Fearing federal oversight of public health spending and civil rights enforcement, they sought to maintain control over who received benefits. Historians have shown that these efforts were primarily designed to restrict access to health care benefits along racial lines during the Jim Crow period of time. Today, that legacy is painfully visible. States that chose not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act are overwhelmingly located in the South and include several with large Black populations. Nearly 1 in 4 uninsured Black adults are uninsured because they fall into the coverage gap – unable to access affordable health insurance – they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to receive subsidies through the Affordable Care Act's marketplace. The system's architecture also discourages care aimed at prevention. Because Medicaid's scope is limited and inconsistent, preventive care screenings, dental cleanings and chronic disease management often fall through the cracks. That leads to costlier, later-stage care that further burdens hospitals and patients alike. Meanwhile, cultural attitudes around concepts like 'rugged individualism' and 'freedom of choice' have long been deployed to resist public solutions. In the postwar decades, while European nations built national health care systems, the U.S. reinforced a market-driven approach. Publicly funded systems were increasingly portrayed by American politicians and industry leaders as threats to individual freedom – often dismissed as 'socialized medicine' or signs of creeping socialism. In 1961, for example, Ronald Reagan recorded a 10-minute LP titled 'Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine,' which was distributed by the American Medical Association as part of a national effort to block Medicare. The health care system's administrative complexity ballooned beginning in the 1960s, driven by the rise of state-run Medicaid programs, private insurers and increasingly fragmented billing systems. Patients were expected to navigate opaque billing codes, networks and formularies, all while trying to treat, manage and prevent illness. In my view, and that of other scholars, this isn't accidental but rather a form of profitable confusion built into the system to benefit insurers and intermediaries. Even well-meaning reforms have been built atop this structure. The Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, expanded access to health insurance but preserved many of the system's underlying inequities. And by subsidizing private insurers rather than creating a public option, the law reinforced the central role of private companies in the health care system. The public option – a government-run insurance plan intended to compete with private insurers and expand coverage – was ultimately stripped from the Affordable Care Act during negotiations due to political opposition from both Republicans and moderate Democrats. When the U.S. Supreme Court made it optional in 2012 for states to offer expanded Medicaid coverage to low-income adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, it amplified the very inequalities that the ACA sought to reduce. These decisions have consequences. In states like Alabama, an estimated 220,000 adults remain uninsured due to the Medicaid coverage gap – the most recent year for which reliable data is available – highlighting the ongoing impact of the state's refusal to expand Medicaid. In addition, rural hospitals have closed, patients forgo care, and entire counties lack practicing OB/GYNs or dentists. And when people do get care – especially in states where many remain uninsured – they can amass medical debt that can upend their lives. All of this is compounded by chronic disinvestment in public health. Federal funding for emergency preparedness has declined for years, and local health departments are underfunded and understaffed. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed just how brittle the infrastructure is – especially in low-income and rural communities, where overwhelmed clinics, delayed testing, limited hospital capacity, and higher mortality rates exposed the deadly consequences of neglect. Change is hard not because reformers haven't tried before, but because the system serves the very interests it was designed to serve. Insurers profit from obscurity – networks that shift, formularies that confuse, billing codes that few can decipher. Providers profit from a fee-for-service model that rewards quantity over quality, procedure over prevention. Politicians reap campaign contributions and avoid blame through delegation, diffusion and plausible deniability. This is not an accidental web of dysfunction. It is a system that transforms complexity into capital, bureaucracy into barriers. Patients – especially the uninsured and underinsured – are left to make impossible choices: delay treatment or take on debt, ration medication or skip checkups, trust the health care system or go without. Meanwhile, I believe the rhetoric of choice and freedom disguises how constrained most people's options really are. Other countries show us that alternatives are possible. Systems in Germany, France and Canada vary widely in structure, but all prioritize universal access and transparency. Understanding what the U.S. health care system is designed to do – rather than assuming it is failing unintentionally – is a necessary first step toward considering meaningful change. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Zachary W. Schulz, Auburn University Read more: Buyouts can bring relief from medical debt, but they're far from a cure Public health and private equity: What the Walgreens buyout could mean for the future of pharmacy care Migrants often can't access US health care until they are critically ill – here are some of the barriers they face Zachary W. Schulz does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
CHICKEN SALAD CHICK COMING TO SMITHFIELD, NC
Fast casual concept celebrating grand opening on June 18, offering free chicken salad for a year ATLANTA, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today the opening of its 17th location in North Carolina, located at 924 North Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield. The local community is invited to celebrate this grand opening on Wednesday, June 18, where the first 100 guests in line will win free chicken salad for a year*. During the grand opening week, guests can expect to experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, as well as a community focused mindset with various specials and giveaways. These include: Wednesday, June 18 – Free Chicken Salad for a Year to the First 100 Guests – The first guest in line at 10:30am will receive one FREE large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year. The next 99 guests in line will receive one FREE large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for a year!* Thursday, June 19 – The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a FREE 40oz Chick tumbler with lid and straw!** Friday, June 20 – The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a FREE Chicken Salad Chick canvas tote bag!** Saturday, June 21 – The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a FREE 16oz Chicken Salad Chick tumbler!** Chicken Salad Chick of Smithfield is owned and operated by first-time franchise owners and husband-and-wife duo, Heather and Clay Harmon. Both North Carolina natives, Heather grew up in Fayetteville and Clay in Whitakers. The couple currently resides in Raleigh and spends many of their free weekends at their beach house in Surf City, deepening their ties to the region. Before becoming franchise owners, Heather was a cardiac critical care nurse and now serves as Territory Business Manager for Elutia, a medical company providing porcine-derived cardiac products across North Carolina and Virginia. She continues to work full-time while Clay oversees the restaurant's day-to-day operations. To fully dedicate himself to this new endeavor, Clay recently dissolved his commercial clearing business, Harmon Land Solutions. Together, the Harmons bring a wealth of small business experience and a shared commitment to providing outstanding customer service. They also hope by building this small business legacy, their young daughters will want to be involved in the family business once they get older. "Clay and I are incredibly excited to bring Chicken Salad Chick to Smithfield," said Heather Harmon, co-franchise owner, Chicken Salad Chick of Smithfield. "We first discovered the brand in Wilmington and have been hooked ever since. We instantly fell in love with the inviting atmosphere, and after spending two hours chatting with Haley, the franchise owner, we were sold on the idea of opening our own. Plus, the flavors are amazing – our favorites are Olivia's Old South and Dixie Chick because they remind us of our grandmothers' homemade recipes. That's what this experience has all been about – creating a welcoming, homemade experience for guests who want convenient, healthier dining options. The support from the community has already been incredible, and we know they're just as excited as we are for opening day. We can't wait to welcome everyone in!" Chicken Salad Chick is known for its dozen-plus variety of made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors, fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches, and desserts. The new Smithfield restaurant offers in-restaurant and outdoor patio dining, drive-thru, take-out, third-party delivery, and catering options. "We're thrilled to see Chicken Salad Chick continuing to expand in North Carolina," said Scott Deviney, president and CEO of Chicken Salad Chick. "Smithfield has experienced significant growth in recent years, with Johnston County ranking among the fastest-growing counties in the state. Despite this momentum, the area still lacks a variety of dining options. We knew Heather and Clay's passion and determination could help fill that gap. The Harmons truly embody our mission to 'Spread Joy, Enrich Lives, and Serve Others,' and we're confident Chicken Salad Chick will quickly become a beloved part of the Smithfield community." Giving back to the community is an important focus for the Smithfield team and the Chicken Salad Chick brand, which established the CSC Foundation to support CURE Childhood Cancer and local food banks with fundraisers throughout the year. As part of pre-opening Friends & Family events in Smithfield, the restaurant will be raising money for the UNC Johnston Health Foundation's Angel Fund, which supports cancer patients by providing financial assistance to buy medications, gas for transportation to medical appointments, wigs, prosthetic devices, and more. This cause is especially meaningful to the Harmons, as Heather's mother has been battling a diagnosis of stage four colon cancer for five years. Chicken Salad Chick of Smithfield will be open Monday – Saturday from 10:30am – 8pm. For more information, visit Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and trends. For more information on giveaways and specials, visit: *Guests should arrive early to secure a place in line. The first 100 guests must remain in line and download the Chicken Salad Chick app. Wi-Fi will not be available on site. Once the restaurant opens, guests will make a purchase of "The Chick" or anything of equal/greater value and enter a code in the Chicken Salad Chick app to officially secure their spot. If you leave the line for any reason, your spot will be awarded to the next guest in line. Guests will receive their first free Large Quick Chick electronically to their app the Monday following Grand Opening Day. Your reward will be valid for redemption for 30 days upon delivery. **Must download the Chicken Salad Chick app, be 16 years or older, and purchase a Chick Trio. Limit 1 reward per guest present. Not valid with any other offers or in drive thru. About Chicken Salad Chick Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama, by Stacy and Kevin Brown, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to operate 305 restaurants in 21 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in the 2023 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious for the third consecutive year, Fast Casual's Top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2024, QSR's Best Franchise Deals in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024, and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises list from 2019-2024. See for additional information. Contact:Alexis PaulFish 919954-893-9150apaul@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
