Adrian Berlutti
Life expectancy varies greatly across U.S. cities due to factors like location, lifestyle, and access to healthcare. The towns on the lower scale struggle more with poverty, pollution, and limited medical services, leading to shorter lifespans for their residents. Here are the five with the lowest lifespans.
Brownsville, Texas (75.3 years)
As a border city, Brownsville faces unique trials associated with its geographic and economic context. Economic hardship is a significant factor influencing health outcomes in the area. Many Texans face financial difficulties that impact their ability to access healthcare services, purchase nutritious food, and engage in healthy lifestyle practices.
Yazoo City, Mississippi (74.5 years)
The city is also grappling with a high prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases, with conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease taking the lead. These issues are common in the region, primarily because the population mainly feeds on fried and highly processed foods. They also lack recreational facilities for exercise, and the effects compound their health issues.
Cleveland, Ohio (74.5 years)
Cleveland also makes this list because, over the years, the city has faced economic decline and high poverty rates. The most significant result is health disparities among residents. People living in Cleveland report high cases of heart disease and diabetes, which affect overall life expectancy. The high poverty rates mean that people cannot access the best medicine to treat these diseases.
Detroit, Michigan (74.1 years)
In Michigan, Detroit residents have a low life expectancy rate, primarily because of the dwindling economy. Here, people grapple with the misfortunes of high unemployment rates, where people are struggling to make ends meet. This also leads to significant health contests spanning missed diagnosis and late treatment. This inevitably causes lower life expectancy for its residents over the years.
New Orleans, Louisiana (74.0 years)
This city is one of the liveliest for festivals and tourist visits, but its residents don’t get to the 80s. Why? New Orleans deals with multiple issues, such as poverty, crime, and healthcare access. When you combine all these issues, you get a city with people that only live to an estimated age of 74.0 years.
Lake Providence, Louisiana (74.3 years)
Healthcare access is the biggest concern in Lake Providence. With a shortage of medical facilities and healthcare professionals, it becomes difficult for residents to get the best care. This means that regular check-ups and timely illness treatment are off the shelf. Lack of access is especially concerning given the high rates of chronic diseases in the area.
Florence, South Carolina (74.3 years)
Florence is a regional hub in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Despite its role as a central economic and cultural center, Florence grapples with a couple of issues that cut short its residents’ lifespans. These issues have a ripple effect that reflects broader issues faced across the American South.
Gadsden, Alabama (73.4 years.)
The charm of Southern hospitality contrasts sharply with the harsh reality of a shorter life expectancy of just 73.4 years in Gadsden. Once a thriving industrial town, this city has seen better days. High rates of poverty and chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease are prevalent, and since health services are few and expensive, that charm can fade quickly.
Tunica, Mississippi (73.4 years)
Despite the influx of visitors and tourism revenue, many residents face persistent health hurdles that contribute to the city’s lower life expectancy. Poverty is also quite rampant in Tunica. While the casino industry has provided jobs, many of these positions are low-wage and lack benefits, which leads to financial instability for a significant portion of the population.
Petersburg, Virginia (73.1 years)
Petersburg has a life expectancy of around 73.1 years. Despite its historical significance to American culture, this city has faced economic decline, which has led to soaring poverty and health cases for many of its residents. Petersburg’s situation serves as a reminder that even cities with rich histories can struggle with modern-day issues.
Gallup, New Mexico (72.6 years)
Gallup, known for its Native American culture and art, is also on the list of the states with the lowest lifespans. This locale faces significant adversities, mainly in the public health sector. Economic difficulties are compounded by the high rates of substance abuse, making it one of the cities with the shortest life expectancy in the U.S.
Cairo, Illinois (72.4 years, )
Cairo is a small town with a storied history but a series of contemporary challenges that have taken a toll on its residents. Situated at the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers confluence, Cairo was once a bustling hub of commerce and transportation, enjoying a strategic location that promised prosperity. Today, however, the town’s fortunes have shifted significantly.
Gary, Indiana (70.8 years)
Once a booming industrial locale, Gary’s past is deeply tied to the evolution of the steel industry. As the steel industry declined, so did job opportunities, and this led to unemployment and poverty. Decades of pollution from the mills have left lasting scars on the environment and its residents’ health.
East St. Louis, Illinois (69.6 years)
Crime in East St. Louis has to be the reason behind the low life expectancy. This city has struggled with high crime rates, especially violent crime, which adds to the stress and insecurity faced by its residents. The impact of crime on public health is significant, as it can lead to both physical injuries and long-term psychological trauma.
McDowell County ( 67.4 years)
Often cited as having one of the lowest life expectancies in the U.S. at around 67.4 years, McDowell reflects the severe impact of poverty, substance abuse, and healthcare access issues. The decline of the coal industry has left deep scars here, where the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains is overshadowed.
