Life Expectancy in the US: A Looming Crisis
US Life Expectancy to Drop to 66th Place by 2050
Life expectancy in the US already lags behind many other developed countries, ranking 49th globally in 2022. According to a new report by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the US is expected to drop even further to 66th place by 2050.
Rise in Obesity to Blame
Researchers attribute the decline to a looming "public health crisis of unimaginable scale" due to rising rates of obesity. IHME forecasts over 260 million people will be affected by 2050, with more than 100 million adults already obese, and over 22 million considered severely obese.
Consequences of Obesity
Obesity significantly raises the risk of chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 100 million American adults are obese, with over 22 million considered severely obese.
Eliminating Risk Factors
Eliminating risk factors like obesity, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure by 2050 could prolong 12.4 million lives, according to IHME. Reducing these risk factors would require a concerted effort to improve public health.
US Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE)
The US’ HALE global ranking is forecast to drop from 80th in 2022 to 108th by 2050.
Regional Variations
New York is expected to have the highest life expectancy in the US by 2050, ranking 41st in the world, a drop from 33rd place in 2022.
Conclusion
The rapid decline of the US in global rankings demands immediate action. The US must find new and better health strategies and policies to slow down the decline in future health outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current ranking of the US in global life expectancy?
A: The US is currently ranked 49th in global life expectancy.
Q: What is the expected ranking of the US in global life expectancy by 2050?
A: The US is expected to drop to 66th place by 2050.
Q: What are the main causes of the decline in life expectancy?
A: Rising rates of obesity, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure are the main causes of the decline in life expectancy.
Q: How can individuals increase their life expectancy?
A: Individuals can increase their life expectancy by exercising, eating a healthy diet, getting a good education, taking medications prescribed by doctors, and avoiding cigarettes and recreational drugs.
