Across America, life expectancy is quite different for many reasons, including healthcare and lifestyle. Today, we’re looking at 18 states where people tend to have the shortest lifespans. It’s not necessarily just bad luck, though, as some local residents face some real challenges. Who knew your zip code could affect your lifespan?
Mississippi
This data is from a World Population Review report. In Mississippi, people have the shortest run of it, with a life expectancy of just 71.9 years, which is likely due to the state’s high poverty rates. They also have fewer doctors per capita and bigger issues with healthcare access, which is particularly bad since so many chronic conditions are more common here.
West Virginia
West Virginia is in the heart of Appalachia and has its own set of problems, as life expectancy here is just 72.8 years. Even with how beautiful the state is, it’s hard for people to get around or even to a doctor. Many residents here work in dangerous jobs like coal mining, which takes a serious toll on their health.
Louisiana
Louisiana is famous for its food and festivals, but that’s causing some issues for the residents. The state’s life expectancy is 73.1 years. Honestly, it’s not surprising, as all that delicious cuisine causes many people to be obese, which leads to problems like diabetes and heart disease. These health issues can cut lives short.
Alabama
Sweet Home Alabama has some bittersweet parts to it because life expectancy in the state is 73.2 years. Rural areas often don’t have enough healthcare facilities, and economic problems mean not everyone can afford the care they need. All of these issues combine to make a shorter-than-average lifespan.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, people live for an average of 73.5 years, which is mostly because of economic issues that cause health problems. Fewer job opportunities mean less money for healthy living and medical care. At the same time, residents in areas hit hard by declining industries don’t have money for healthcare.
Arkansas
Like some of the other states on this list, people in rural areas of Arkansas are suffering from fewer hospitals and longer drives for medical help. This is one of the major reasons that life expectancy in the state is only 73.8 years. The huge amount of poverty and limited public health funding only make these problems worse because healthcare is less accessible to the locals.
Tennessee
Life expectancy in Tennessee is also 73.8 years, which is mostly due to socioeconomic issues. Having a lower income often means less access to nutritious food and healthcare, which creates a gap in lifespan compared to wealthier areas. The state also has high rates of smoking and obesity, which are major risk factors for chronic diseases.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has been struggling with healthcare access for a while, particularly in mental health services, which is why life expectancy stands at just 74.1 years. This lack of support can cause poorer overall health and shorter lives. While the government is trying to improve the situation, progress is slow, and many residents still aren’t getting the help they desperately need.
New Mexico
Over in New Mexico, life expectancy is about 74.5 years. Issues with behavioral health and substance abuse are huge here, causing problems for the community’s overall health. The state has one of the highest rates of alcohol-related deaths, so it’s no surprise that overall life expectancy is so low.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, people live about 74.8 years on average because of the frequency of chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Limited access to primary care and poor lifestyle choices are also making some of these problems even worse. Many people just can’t get the healthcare that they desperately need to manage these diseases.
Indiana
Hoosiers in Indiana have an average life expectancy of 75.0 years because of similar healthcare access issues. Smoking is far too common here, and there’s also a growing opioid crisis, which has made public health efforts to improve these statistics even more complicated. Of course, the government is trying to improve things, but only time will tell if it works.
Missouri
There’s a big divide in health service access between rural and urban areas in Missouri, which is why life expectancy here is only 75.1 years. This split means not everyone gets the same chance for a long life, and the rural areas are particularly underserved. Many residents have to travel for a long time to get emergency care, which can literally mean the difference between life and death.
District of Columbia
Even the nation’s capital, with all its resources, has a life expectancy of just 75.3 years. Urban problems like high stress and income inequality are the biggest problems here, and they affect how long residents live. The high cost of living and healthcare problems between different neighborhoods make health issues even worse.
Ohio
Ohio has the same life expectancy as D.C. at 75.3 years. Its industrial past has left several health issues for many communities, particularly in areas that once had many factories. These regions have ongoing environmental pollution issues that affect air and water quality, which are lowering people’s life expectancy.
Georgia
The main problem in Georgia is the wealth gap, which means not everyone can afford the same quality of life or healthcare. This causes people to die earlier and leads to an average life expectancy of just 75.6 years. There are also major problems with healthcare distribution, as rural areas don’t have the same access to healthcare as more urban areas.
Michigan
With a life expectancy of 76.0 years, Michigan is still being affected by its hugely successful auto industry. These industries have caused major environmental and health problems that are still influencing people today. Many communities relied on manufacturing jobs before, but now they’re struggling to pay for good healthcare.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, people live to around 76.1 years, but not everyone gets the same shot at those years. In places like Charlotte, there are plenty of clinics and hospitals, but head out to places like the Appalachians, and it’s a different story. Finding a doctor can be more difficult than it should be, while getting regular treatment for ongoing issues is even harder.
Arizona
In Arizona, life expectancy is 76.3 years, which is due to the hot climate and lifestyle choices. Skin cancer and dehydration, for example, are more common here, which influences people’s general health. The state also has a large elderly population that requires more medical care, which is stretching local healthcare resources thin.
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