According to a global report, life expectancy for Americans has dropped to the lowest in nearly three decades. Among the countries analyzed for the study, the US came in 34th place, raising questions about the country’s health sector.
Recent findings show that the US has a middling current average of 76.4 years. Hence, according to recent data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), some developed nations eclipse the country.
Globally, the average life expectancy rate was 80.3 years old, with Switzerland having the highest (83.9 years old) and Latvia reporting the lowest (73.1 years old). However, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that the average life expectancy worldwide fell by .7 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the rate slowly began to rise again last year.
On the other hand, the US reported a life expectancy of 76.4 years, according to the most recent data from the OECD. However, according to the report, the increase in life expectancy worldwide began to slow even before the pandemic. The downward spiral began, especially with women.
After several studies and research, the organization cited heart disease (the leading cause of death for Americans) as the primary cause. In addition, stroke, obesity, and diabetes are also the main diseases impacting people’s health around the world.
In addition, the report found several factors, including air pollution, smoking, and alcohol consumption, to be the top risk factors. These factors also hinder rising life expectancies. The data also showed that the US ranks better than other countries in the percentage of daily smokers. Furthermore, the US has higher average rates of alcohol consumption per capita and deaths due to pollution compared to other developed nations.
While life expectancy has dropped to the lowest levels in nearly three decades, the country’s obesity rate is worse than average. Consequently, the US is grappling with an obesity epidemic.
In a news release reporting data similar to the OECD report, Dr Steven Woolf said that America may be one of the wealthiest countries in the world. He also added that the country certainly outspends every country on health care. However, he noted that Americans are sicker and die earlier than people in dozens of countries.
Following his statement on the country’s obesity epidemic, Dr Woolf further revealed that this includes those who are not obese. He also added that they are more prone to diseases than their counterparts in other countries.
According to Woolf’s research, published in the American Journal of Public Health, Americans are not as healthy as others. He said that even Americans with healthy behaviors have higher disease rates than their peers in other countries.
The new analysis “shows that premature deaths among Americans are a much larger and older public health issue than previously believed,” Woolf added.
However, the study found significant differences between the states. According to the study, life expectancy was highest throughout the Northeast and West. Contrarily, it was lowest in South Central and Midwestern states.