In a record-breaking turn, U.S. life expectancy just surpassed its sharpest two-year decline in 100 years. In 2019 the average American could expect to live about 79 years; that number has plunged to just 76 in 2022.
“The reduction has been particularly steep among Native Americans and Alaska Natives, the National Center for Health Statistics reported. Average life expectancy in those groups was shortened by four years in 2020 alone,” The New York Times reported.
While coronavirus is partially to blame, chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes, poor diet, lack of exercise and an inadequate health care system, as well as social ills such as “widespread access to guns” also contributed, researchers said.
SOURCE:
The New York Times August 31, 2022