A new study has revealed the U.S. states with the biggest average decrease in life expectancy each year.
The research, conducted by longevity experts Omre, analyzed CDC data on ‘life expectancy at birth’ between 2018 and 2021. The average yearly percentage change was calculated to create an overall ranking, which was then split by state and sex.
New Mexico is the state that has seen the greatest decline in life expectancy, with an average yearly decrease of 1.84%. Between 2018 and 2021, life expectancy has seen a steady drop, decreasing from 77.2 in 2018 to 76.9 in 2019 before falling to 74.5 in 2020 and 73 in 2021. In 2021, the life expectancy for men was 69.4 and 77 for women.
Mississippi has seen the second-biggest decrease in life expectancy, with an average yearly decline of 1.67%. Average life expectancy dropped from 74.6 in 2018 to 74.4 in 2019, then dropped to 71.9 in 2020 and 70.9 in 2021. As of 2021, women have a higher life expectancy than men in this state at 74.3 and 67.7, respectively.
Third is Arizona, with an average yearly drop of 1.58%. The average life expectancy for residents rose slightly from 78.7 in 2018 to 78.8 in 2019, then fell to 76.3 in 2020 and to 75 in 2021. In 2021, the average life expectancy for men was 72 and 78.3 for females.
Fourth is West Virginia, with an average yearly decline of 1.54%. Life expectancy in this state rose from 74.4 in 2018 to 74.5 in 2019, then fell to 72.8 in 2020 and to 71 in 2021. The life expectancy in 2021 was 68.1 for men and 74.2 for women.
In joint fifth place are Alaska and Louisiana, with an average yearly drop of 1.51%. Life expectancy in Alaska fell consistently from 78 in 2018 to 77.7 in 2019, then to 76.6 in 2020 and 74.5 in 2021.
The life expectancy for men in Alaska in 2021 was 72.2 and for women 77.3. In Louisiana, life expectancy was 75.6 in 2018, falling to 72.2 in 2021. The life expectancy for men in 2021 was 68.8, and it was 75.9 for women.
Sixth is Alabama, with an average yearly life expectancy drop of 1.39%. Life expectancy rose from 75.1 in 2018 to 75.2 in 2019, then fell to 73.2 in 2020 and 72 in 2021. Life expectancy for men in Alabama in 2021 was 68.9, and 75.3 for women.
In joint seventh are Tennessee and Arkansas, both recording an average yearly decline of 1.38%. In Tennessee, life expectancy fell from 75.5 in 2018 to 72.4 in 2021, while in Arkansas, life expectancy fell from 75.6 to 72.5 from 2018 to 2021.
In 2021, the life expectancy for men in Tennessee was 69.4, and for women, it was 75.5. In Arkansas, men’s life expectancy was 69.7, while women’s was 75.6.
Coming in joint eighth place are Wyoming and Kentucky, with an average yearly life expectancy decrease of 1.34%. In Wyoming, life expectancy fell from 78.1 in 2018 to 75 in 2021, with life expectancy for men standing at 72.5 and 77.7 for women.
In Kentucky, life expectancy fell from 75.3 to 72.3 between 2018 and 2021. In 2021, life expectancy for men was 69.6 and 75.3 for women.
Ninth is South Carolina, with an average yearly life expectancy decrease of 1.32%. The average life expectancy for men in 2021 was 70.4, and 76.7 for women.
Rounding out the top ten is Oklahoma, with the average life expectancy dropping by 1.29% year-on-year. Life expectancy dropped from 75.6 in 2018 to 72.7 in 2021, with the average expectancy standing at 70 for men and 75.6 for women.
| State | Average Life Expectancy (2018) | Average Life Expectancy (2019) | Average Life Expectancy (2020) | Average Life Expectancy (2021) | Average Yearly Change | |
| 1 | New Mexico | 77.2 | 76.9 | 74.5 | 73 | -1.84% |
| 2 | Mississippi | 74.6 | 74.4 | 71.9 | 70.9 | -1.67% |
| 3 | Arizona | 78.7 | 78.8 | 76.3 | 75 | -1.58% |
| 4 | West Virginia | 74.4 | 74.5 | 72.8 | 71 | -1.54% |
| 5 | Alaska | 78 | 77.7 | 76.6 | 74.5 | -1.51% |
| =5 | Louisiana | 75.6 | 75.7 | 73.1 | 72.2 | -1.51% |
| 6 | Alabama | 75.1 | 75.2 | 73.2 | 72 | -1.39% |
| 7 | Tennessee | 75.5 | 75.6 | 73.8 | 72.4 | -1.38% |
| =7 | Arkansas | 75.6 | 75.7 | 73.8 | 72.5 | -1.38% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 78.1 | 77.7 | 76.3 | 75 | -1.34% |
| =8 | Kentucky | 75.3 | 75.5 | 73.5 | 72.3 | -1.34% |
| 9 | South Carolina | 76.5 | 76.8 | 74.8 | 73.5 | -1.32% |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 75.6 | 75.7 | 74.1 | 72.7 | -1.29% |
At the other end of the scale, Massachusetts reported the smallest decrease in life expectancy, with an average yearly drop of 0.20%. Life expectancy for men in this state in 2021 was 76.9, and 82.2 for women.
Commenting on the study, Dr. Pedram Kordrostami, M.D., CEO of Omre, said:
“It’s concerning to see this trend in the decline of life expectancy across various states and is particularly striking to see more substantial declines in areas like New Mexico and Mississippi. Understanding these trends can help spark conversations about the factors contributing to these changes and encourage efforts to address them.
“These factors may include the prevalence of chronic diseases or insufficient access to healthcare, or lifestyle choices like excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and drug use. By understanding the data, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public can work toward solutions that promote healthier and longer lives for all.”
Source: CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/life_expectancy/life_expectancy.htm)
Methodology: Figures on life expectancy at birth for the years 2018-2021 were gathered from the CDC. The data gathered was both overall and per sex. For each state, the average yearly percentage decrease was calculated and ranked from highest to lowest. This was done overall and by sex.
Research compiled by Omre.co
