Life Expectancy Varies Greatly Throughout the U.S.

A county-by-county study of life expectancies was released last week from the University of Washington. The study brings to light disturbing trends in America’s health care system. In particular, the study found large sections of America that have experienced stagnated or declining expected life spans.

The areas with the lowest life expectancy rates were also among the poorest. Counties in Appalachian states, Deep South states and north Texas had the worst rates while counties in Colorado, Minnesota, Utah, California, Washington state and Florida had the best.

Comparing the worst and best counties highlights the wide and growing disparity in American health care. Men in Holmes County, Mississippi can expect to live 65.9 years, while men in Fairfax County, Virginia will live 81.1 years on average, a difference of over 15 years. Women in Collier County, Florida can expect to live 86 years while women in Holmes County, Mississippi will live only 73.5 years on average.

The wide gap between the haves and have-nots isn’t the only disturbing trend exposed by the report. America is also falling behind other rich countries. Despite the fact that the U.S. spends more on health care than any other nation, 8 of 10 counties in America are not keeping up with international trends in health improvement. In parts of Mississippi, women’s expected life span was even shorter than women in developing countries like El Salvador and Peru.

-- Washington Post / NPR