In 2021, Alaska experienced the largest decline in average life expectancy among all U.S. states, according to a recent report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The state’s life expectancy dropped to 74.5 years, down from 76.6 years in 2020. This decline occurred during a period heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to an overall national decrease in life expectancy by 0.6 years.
Key Findings from the CDC Report
Pandemic Impact: The significant drop in life expectancy in Alaska can be attributed to the unique timing of COVID-19 deaths in the state, which peaked later than in other parts of the country. Nationally, much of the pandemic’s death toll occurred in 2020, while Alaska saw a peak in deaths in late 2021.
Drug Overdose Rates: Beyond COVID-19, high rates of accidental drug poisoning (overdose) deaths in Alaska may have further contributed to the decline in life expectancy. The state has been grappling with rising overdose rates in recent years.
Life Expectancy Trends
After the sharp decline in 2021, Alaska’s life expectancy began to recover. By 2022, it increased to 76.8 years, and preliminary data for 2023 indicates a further increase to 77.2 years. However, these figures still fall short of pre-pandemic levels, which were around 78.5 years in 2019.
Comparison with Other States
While Alaska had the most significant drop in life expectancy, it was not the lowest overall; that distinction belonged to Mississippi, with a life expectancy of 70.9 years in 2021. Conversely, Hawaii recorded the highest life expectancy at 79.9 years during the same period. Alaska ranked 39th among the states and the District of Columbia in life expectancy for 2021.
Causes of Death in Alaska
In 2021, the leading causes of death in Alaska were cancer and heart disease, with COVID-19 ranking third. However, by 2022, COVID-19 had dropped to the fourth position among causes of death, with accidental deaths (including car crashes and overdoses) becoming the third-highest cause.
Conclusion
The significant decline in Alaska’s life expectancy in 2021 highlights the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising overdose rates. While there has been a recovery in the subsequent years, Alaska continues to face challenges in improving health outcomes and addressing the underlying issues contributing to decreased life expectancy.
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