Study Puts Washington in the Top Ten for Life Expectancy

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The Journal of the American Medical Association recently published their “State of U.S. Health Study,” for the years between 1990-2016, and the findings placed Washington ninth out of the 50 states for life expectancy. 

The study considered life expectancy from birth for both men and women and calculated an average.

“This study showed that Washington state has made progress in reducing mortality; however, alcohol and drug abuse, obesity, and tobacco use continue to pose health challenges in our communities,” said Dr. Kathy Lofy, State Health Officer, Washington State Department of Health, in a press release.

Over the years, the measure has changed across the country as well as Washington. At the beginning of the study in 1990, men and women could expect to live an average of 76.8 years in Washington, which ranked 13th in the country. As of 2016 that average life expectancy had reached 80.2 years for a 9th place ranking in the U.S.



Those improved numbers applied to both men and women. In 1990 Washingtonian men could expect to live to 73.8 years of age, which was 8th in the country, while in 2016 that mark had moved up to 78.1 years for a 7th place ranking in the country.  Meanwhile, Washingtonian women were already averaging 79.8 years of life expectancy in 1990, which was good for a 14th place ranking. By 1996 the life expectancy of women in Washington had increased to 82.3 years for a ranking of 10th in the United States.

The study used the top three leading risk factors for “disability-adjusted life-years.” In Washington those top three risk factors are alcohol and drug abuse, high body mass index (BMI), and tobacco use.

Mississippi had the lowest average life expectancy at 74.7 years.