Life Expectancy by Race in the US: A Data Overview
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that non-Hispanic Asian Americans have the longest life expectancy in the US. While life expectancy increased for all groups between 2022 and 2023, substantial disparities remain. Addressing health inequality requires understanding its root causes.
CDC data from July 2025 (covering 2023 statistics) showed non-Hispanic Asian Americans with a life expectancy at birth of 85.2 years, an increase from 2022. Variations exist within the Asian population; for example, Chinese Americans have shown higher life expectancy than some other subgroups. These internal differences highlight the complexity of longevity factors.
Factors Influencing Racial Disparities in Life Expectancy
Differences in life expectancy among racial groups are linked to social, economic, and environmental factors, rather than biology. These include:
- Socioeconomic Status: Factors like income, food security, and education level are correlated with life expectancy. Groups like non-Hispanic Black and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) populations face higher poverty rates, impacting access to essential resources.
- Healthcare Access and Quality: Unequal health insurance rates and variations in care contribute to the disparity. AIAN and Hispanic individuals are more likely to be uninsured than White individuals.
- Historical and Systemic Factors: Discrimination has created inequities leading to worse health outcomes and higher rates of chronic illness.
- Chronic Stressors: Stress from racism and discrimination negatively affects health, potentially contributing to cardiovascular and mental health issues.
The Hispanic Paradox and Subgroup Variation
The Hispanic population has often demonstrated a higher life expectancy than non-Hispanic Whites, despite potential socioeconomic challenges, a trend known as the Hispanic paradox. This may be due to factors like strong social support, healthier diets, and lower smoking rates. However, this advantage can diminish with acculturation, and variations exist within the Hispanic population.
Trends and COVID-19 Impact
COVID-19 significantly affected life expectancy across all groups, with greater decreases in marginalized populations. AIAN individuals saw the largest drop from 2019 to 2021, while Asian individuals saw the smallest. The pandemic exacerbated existing disparities. Although life expectancy has largely recovered, disparities persist.
Comparison of Racial and Ethnic Life Expectancy in the US
| Racial/Ethnic Group | 2023 Life Expectancy (Years) | Factors Influencing Longevity |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Asian | 85.2 | Associated with higher socioeconomic status, strong social support, and healthier diets. Their longevity advantage is consistently noted {Link: Office of Minority Health https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/asian-american-health}. |
| Hispanic | 81.3 | The Hispanic Paradox suggests benefits from factors like social support and lower smoking rates. Regional differences occur. |
| Non-Hispanic White | 78.4 | A mid-range life expectancy less affected by certain systemic inequities compared to other minority groups. |
| Non-Hispanic Black | 74.0 | Heavily impacted by social determinants, including poverty, systemic racism, and limited healthcare access. |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) | 70.1 | The lowest life expectancy, linked to historical factors, poverty, discrimination, and inadequate healthcare resources. |
Conclusion
Non-Hispanic Asian Americans have the longest life expectancy in the US, but this is influenced by complex factors beyond race alone. Disparities among groups stem from social determinants of health like income, education, and healthcare access. These long-standing inequities were highlighted and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing them requires a public health approach focused on systemic change and equitable resource distribution to improve health outcomes for everyone.
How Life Expectancy is Measured
Life expectancy at birth estimates the average years a group of infants would live based on current age-specific death rates. The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) uses mortality and population data to create life tables, often broken down by race, ethnicity, and gender. This measure is crucial for understanding population health and informing policy.
Moving Towards Health Equity
Improving life expectancy for all involves addressing the systemic and social factors causing inequities. This includes expanding health insurance, investing in affected communities, and ensuring culturally competent care. A comprehensive strategy focusing on social, economic, and environmental factors is necessary to reduce the longevity gap and create a more equitable future {Link: National Vital Statistics Reports https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr74/nvsr74-06.pdf}.
