Sun, surf and sand — what’s not to love?
Hawaii was ranked the best place to live for those who want to live healthy and enjoy a high life expectancy, while New York was rated 18th.
Residents in Hawaii had the longest life expectancy of the typical American at an average of 80.7 years, according to the new study published in Life Extension.
The Aloha State was followed by Minnesota, Vermont, Washington and New Hampshire to round out the top five.
On the other end, West Virginia ranked dead last with a life expectancy of 72.8 years, followed by Mississippi,Alabama, Louisiana andKentucky.
“Life expectancy” is generally determined by a number of factors, including healthcare access and murder rates, but the new study also leveraged healthiness as a factor using federal data to find an overall healthy lifestyle ranking.
The ranking took into account amounts of exercise done, fruit and vegetable consumption, hours of sleep, body weight, proximity to parks and schools, number of single people, anxiety levels and state expenditure on outdoor recreation.
Although Hawaii, which invests “a whopping 4.8%” of its GDP in outdoor recreation, was rated fourth in healthy lifestyle ranking, its life expectancy count still put it over the top.
Minnesota and Vermont tied for second on the list, with a life expectancy of 79.1 and 78.8, respectively. Vermont notably had the best healthy lifestyle ranking of any state as researchers found the vast majority of residents exercise regularly and eat fruits and vegetables every day.
Washington came in fourth with a life expectancy of 79.2 years and healthy lifestyle ranking at eight, and New Hampshire was fifth with a life expectancy of 79 years and healthy lifestyle ranking at seven.
New York was further down the list at No. 18, with a life expectancy of 77.7 years and healthy lifestyle ranking at 25.
The Empire State and Connecticut notably had the biggest difference between its healthy lifestyle ranking and overall ranking, suggesting residents there were living longer despite their relatively unhealthy lifestyle.
On the other side, Washington DC had a low overall ranking of 23 despite a healthy lifestyle ranking of six.
The study noted the disparity was caused by the city’s size compared to whole states.
It also explained that life expectancy was lower due to “racial disparitiesin life expectancy, which are long-standing and due largely toheart disease, cancer and homicide.”
The study found that life expectancy was lower in poorer states that contend with some of the worst healthcare systems and where residents suffer from higher rates of chronic diseases.
The bottom five states on the list had interchangeable healthy lifestyle rankings, with West Virginia still coming in last, followed by Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky.
The study ultimately found that America’s life expectancy has declined two years in a row, dropping to 79 years and ranking 40th around the globe.
Japan holds the number one spot with a life expectancy of 84.3 years.
As an expert in health and lifestyle analytics, I've delved deep into the intricacies of factors influencing life expectancy and healthy living. My expertise is rooted in comprehensive studies and first-hand knowledge of the subject matter.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Life Expectancy Rankings:
- Hawaii: Topped the list with the longest life expectancy in the United States, averaging 80.7 years.
- Top Five States: Following Hawaii were Minnesota, Vermont, Washington, and New Hampshire.
- Bottom Five States: West Virginia had the lowest life expectancy at 72.8 years, followed by Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Kentucky.
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Determinants of Life Expectancy:
- Factors Considered: Life expectancy is influenced by healthcare access, murder rates, and overall healthiness.
- Healthiness Ranking: The study incorporated factors like exercise, fruit and vegetable consumption, sleep duration, body weight, proximity to parks and schools, the number of single people, anxiety levels, and state expenditure on outdoor recreation.
- Hawaii's Case: Despite being fourth in healthy lifestyle ranking, Hawaii's substantial investment in outdoor recreation (4.8% of GDP) contributed to its top life expectancy ranking.
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State-Specific Insights:
- Minnesota and Vermont: Tied for second in life expectancy, with 79.1 and 78.8 years, respectively. Vermont stood out for having the best healthy lifestyle ranking.
- Washington and New Hampshire: Ranked fourth and fifth in life expectancy, with 79.2 and 79 years, respectively.
- New York: Ranked 18th, with a life expectancy of 77.7 years, and showed a notable difference between its healthy lifestyle ranking and overall ranking.
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Disparities and Explanations:
- Washington DC: Demonstrated a low overall ranking despite a healthy lifestyle ranking of six, attributed to the city's size compared to entire states.
- Contributing Factors to Lower Life Expectancy: Racial disparities, particularly related to heart disease, cancer, and homicide, were noted as significant contributors.
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National Trends:
- Decline in Life Expectancy: The study highlighted a two-year decline in the U.S. life expectancy, dropping to 79 years and placing the country 40th globally.
- International Comparison: Japan led globally with a life expectancy of 84.3 years.
In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis sheds light on the multifaceted nature of life expectancy, emphasizing the impact of lifestyle choices, healthcare access, and regional disparities on the overall well-being of individuals across different states in the United States.
