U.S. life expectancy below that of 41 other nations
A U.S. resident born in 2004 has a life expectancy of 77.9 years, placing the U.S. in 42nd place, down from 11th place two decades ago.
Life expectancy in the U.S. has reached its highest point ever, but it is exceeded by the rates in 41 other countries. The U.S. has been slipping for decades in international rankings of life expectancies as other countries are improving health care, nutrition and lifestyles.
Countries that rank above the U.S. include Japan, most of Europe, Jordan and the Cayman Islands. A U.S. resident born in 2004 has a life expectancy of 77.9 years, placing the U.S. in 42nd place, down from 11th place two decades ago.
The low U.S. ranking is attributed to the high uninsured rate among the population, in addition to rising obesity rates and racial disparities. Black U.S. residents have a shorter life span, at 73.3 years, than whites. The U.S. also has a high infant mortality rate compared with other industrialized nations, with 40 countries having lower infant mortality rates than the U.S. in 2004.
The country with the longest life expectancy is Andorra at 83.5 years. Swaziland is last at 34.1 years, attributed to sub-Saharan Africa’s high rate of HIV and AIDS, as well as famine and civil strife.”
Go to original in Kaiser Health Disparities Report
