The States with the Highest Life Expectancies in the United States

When it comes to longevity, some states stand out from the rest. According to recent data, Hawaii would rank as the 21st-highest in terms of life expectancy globally if it were a country. In fact, women in Hawaii live the longest among Americans, with an average lifespan of 84.3 years. The state's overall life expectancy is also the highest in the United States at 81.5 years.

Other states that top the list include California, Minnesota, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Colorado, Washington, Massachusetts, and Vermont, all of which have a life expectancy above 80 years. In contrast, some southern states like Mississippi have significantly lower life expectancies, with an average lifespan of just 74.6 years.

So, what factors contribute to the significant variation in life expectancies across different states? Genetics and lifestyle choices are two major factors that play a crucial role. Access to quality healthcare, hygiene, obesity rates, diet and nutrition, exercise levels, and crime rates also vary greatly by state and can impact an individual's overall lifespan.

Interestingly, women tend to live longer than men on average, with American women expected to live five years longer than men at 81.1 years compared to 76.1 years for men. This disparity is reflected globally, with women living an average of 74.2 years and men living 69.8 years worldwide.

The latest data from organizations like the OECD, CIA, and CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) puts the average life expectancy at birth in the United States at around 78-80 years. Globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global life expectancy as of 2016 was 72.0 years.

Overall, it is clear that states with the highest life expectancies tend to share certain characteristics, such as good healthcare access, healthy lifestyles, and low crime rates. By understanding these factors, individuals can take steps to improve their own longevity and overall well-being.

Highest life expectancy