Changes in longevity by state

The latest state data just released from the National Center for Health Statistics reveal that men and women living in Hawaii can expect, on the average, to live longer than those residing in any other state. During 1989-91 expectation of life at birth for all residents of the United States was 71.8 for boys and 78.8 for girls. In Hawaii, however, average future lifetime for newborn boys was 75.4 years and 81.3 for girls. For infant boys, the states that followed in rank order were Utah, Minnesota and North Dakota. Among baby girls, the leading states were North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa. On the other hand, the District of Columbia, on average, experienced the least favorable longevity. For each sex, geographic longevity disparities diminish with advance in age. Yet, for almost the entire age range, Hawaii still remained the state with the best longevity outlook. Among the next most desirable areas, the rankings shifted positions, somewhat. Even so, North Dakota, Minnesota and Utah usually recorded the highest state life expectancies. These same states also ranked best during 1979-81. Between 1979-81 and 1989-91, on a state-by-state basis, life expectancy gains generally were larger among men than among women.