Study reveals widening life expectancy gap in the U.S. driven by income, race, and geography

A new study shows that the gap in life expectancy in the U.S. has increased to 20 years in 2021, up from 12 years in 2000. This widening disparity is influenced by income, race, ethnicity, and geography. Researchers identified ten distinct groups, or "Americas," highlighting significant health inequalities. The group with the highest life expectancy, at 84 years, includes Asian and Native Hawaiian populations, while the lowest, at 63 years, consists of American Indian and Alaska Native individuals in the West. The study emphasizes the stark differences in health outcomes across the country, revealing how various factors contribute to these disparities.