U.S. State Life Tables, 2021

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Public Health
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Life expectancy is a key indicator of population health and longevity.
• State-level variations in life expectancy reflect diverse socioeconomic and health factors.
• Understanding trends in life expectancy is crucial for public health policy and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present comprehensive period life tables for all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia for the year 2021.
• To analyze sex-specific life expectancy at birth and at age 65 across states.
• To examine changes in life expectancy from 2020 to 2021.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 2021 final mortality statistics and U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.
• Incorporated Medicare data for individuals aged 66-99.
• Applied established methodologies for national life table estimation, with state-specific modifications.

Main Results:

• Hawaii recorded the highest life expectancy at birth (79.9 years), while Mississippi had the lowest (70.9 years) in 2021.
• Life expectancy at birth decreased in 39 states between 2020 and 2021.
• Female life expectancy at birth exceeded male life expectancy in all states, with differences varying by state.

Conclusions:

• Significant geographic disparities in U.S. life expectancy persist.
• The recent decline in life expectancy highlights the need for targeted public health interventions.
• Sex-based differences in longevity remain a consistent demographic feature across states.