Examining Life Expectancy Disparities: U.S. vs. Other Countries and States

The United States, despite being one of the wealthiest nations, has lower life expectancy compared to some poorer countries. Life expectancy in the U.S. has fallen behind other high-income nations since 1980, with a widening gap between the richest and poorest areas. The U.S. healthcare system's focus on high-tech interventions for acute illness, lack of emphasis on preventive care, and a shortage of primary care doctors contribute to the disparity. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the weaknesses of the fragmented U.S. healthcare system. Other countries, such as Portugal and Taiwan, have achieved significant improvements in life expectancy through national health services and economic growth. However, even successful countries are facing challenges, including rising obesity rates and increasing inequality in life expectancy.