US Life Expectancy Declines, Women Outlive Men by Six Years

United States of America
Factors contributing to this gap include lower cardiovascular disease and lung cancer death rates in women, differences in smoking behaviors, and a higher mortality rate from COVID-19 in men.
Improved medical care for women, such as reductions in cancer and perinatal conditions, also contribute to the life expectancy gap.
Men's likelihood to skip routine health checkups, their predominance in dangerous jobs, and higher rates of heart disease also contribute to the life expectancy gap.
The life expectancy at birth in the U.S. dropped for the second year in a row, from 78.8 years in 2019 to 76.1 years in 2021.
Women in the U.S. now live on average six years longer than men.

Recent studies have highlighted a growing disparity in the life expectancy of men and women in the United States. The life expectancy at birth in the U.S. has seen a decline for the second consecutive year, dropping from 78.8 years in 2019 to 76.1 years in 2021. More notably, women are now outliving men by an average of six years, marking the largest gender gap in life expectancy since 1996.

Several factors have been identified as contributing to this gap. Lower cardiovascular disease and lung cancer death rates in women, differences in smoking behaviors, and a higher mortality rate from COVID-19 in men have all played a role. Additionally, men's likelihood to skip routine health checkups, their predominance in dangerous jobs, and higher rates of heart disease have also been cited as contributing factors.

The gap is also attributed to improved medical care for women, such as reductions in cancer and perinatal conditions. Chronic metabolic disease and mental illness may also contribute to the gap. The phenomenon of 'deaths of despair', which includes suicide, drug overdoses, accidents, and unintentional injuries, has been a significant contributor to the declining life expectancy, particularly among men.

Interestingly, this gender disparity in life expectancy is not exclusive to humans but is also observed in other mammals. The studies also criticize the US for its lack of investment in healthcare and mental health services, despite being a powerful nation. This lack of investment is seen as a contributing factor to the declining life expectancy and the widening gender gap.


Confidence

95%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

89%

  • Unique Points
    • The article criticizes the US for its lack of investment in healthcare and mental health services, despite being a powerful nation.
    • The article also covers various other topics including gender issues, LGBTQ+ rights, and women's contributions in STEM.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (70%)
    • But while there is always plenty of money for wars, there never seems to be money for America to develop universal health coverage.
      • The most “powerful nation in the history of the world” may be very good at funding wars abroad but it’s less adept at looking after its own citizens.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      97%

      • Unique Points
        • The life expectancy at birth in the U.S. dropped for the second year in a row, from 78.8 years in 2019 to 76.1 years in 2021.
        • Factors contributing to this gap include lower cardiovascular disease and lung cancer death rates in women, differences in smoking behaviors, and a higher mortality rate from COVID-19 in men.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      97%

      • Unique Points
        • Other reasons include men's likelihood to skip routine health checkups, their predominance in dangerous jobs, and higher rates of heart disease.
        • The article also mentions that this gender disparity in life expectancy is not exclusive to humans but is also observed in other mammals.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      96%

      • Unique Points
        • The gap is also attributed to improved medical care for women, such as reductions in cancer and perinatal conditions.
        • The study also suggests that chronic metabolic disease and mental illness may contribute to the gap.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication