1990 to 2021 Saw Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2024 -- Life expectancy in the United States is worse than many other countries and declined from 1990 to 2021, according to a study published in the Dec. 7 issue of The Lancet.
Ali H. Mokdad, Ph.D., from the University of Washington in Seattle, and colleagues analyzed trends in mortality, morbidity, and disability for 371 diseases and injuries and 88 risk factors in the United States between 1990 and 2021.
The researchers identified disparities in health outcomes and risk factors across states. There was a relative decline in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (HALE) compared with other countries. From 1990 to 2021, there was a decline in the U.S. ranking of life expectancy; in 1990, the United States ranked 35th and 19th, respectively, of 204 countries and territories for males and females, but dropped to 46th and 47th, respectively, in 2021. The declines in HALE ranking were even greater, with the United States ranking 42nd and 32nd, respectively, for males and females in 1990, and decreasing to 69th and 76th, respectively, in 2021. For many leading causes of death, age-standardized mortality rates declined between 1990 and 2021, most notably for ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, and breast cancer. However, for other causes, rates increased over the same period, particularly drug use disorders, chronic kidney disease, and falls.
"This study highlights substantial deficiencies in the country's health system and arms policy makers, health care professionals, researchers, and the general public with the insights required to initiate a unified effort towards overhauling the U.S. health care system and improving population health," the authors write.
Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
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