A recent study published in The Lancet has projected that the United States’ life expectancy is expected to decline to 66th place globally by 2050, with Americans dying younger than their counterparts in many sub-Saharan African nations. Despite being one of the wealthiest countries, the US already lags behind almost 50 countries in terms of life expectancy.
The study’s findings attribute the alarming trajectory of health challenges to factors such as rampant obesity, drug use, and firearm suicides. Researchers from the University of Washington assessed hundreds of diseases and other health risks on the US and individual states, comparing them to over 200 other countries.
According to the study, while medical advances and improved screening and treatment will contribute to a modest increase in life expectancy for both men and women in the US, it is relatively small compared to other countries. By 2050, several sub-Saharan African nations, such as Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, are expected to see significant improvements in life expectancy.
The researchers predict that West Virginia will have the lowest life expectancy for both men and women by 2050, while New York is projected to have the highest life expectancy for males. However, even if the US were to eliminate major health risk factors such as high BMI, smoking, and sodium intake by 2050, it would still struggle to catch up with other countries.
The study’s findings highlight a concerning trajectory for the future of US health, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to reduce exposure to key modifiable risk factors. The ongoing opioid epidemic remains a major challenge to addressing public health issues in the US, and researchers are calling for greater effectiveness and expansion of programs to prevent and treat drug use.
Overall, the study’s projections paint a grim picture for US life expectancy by 2050, underscoring the urgent need for action to address growing health concerns.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14165779/americans-life-expectancy-crash-world-nations.html