Trends and Projections
Life expectancy in the is projected to rise from 78.3 years in 2022 to 80.4 years by 2050, but the rate of increase lags behind peer countries, causing a drop in global ranking from 49th to 66th.
The slight improvement is attributed to expected declines in mortality from major causes like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, with potential gains from reducing obesity, smoking, and drug use disorders.
Health Challenges and Responses
Drug use disorders, obesity, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure are identified as significant contributors to the stagnation in life expectancy improvements, with the U.S. facing the highest drug use-related mortality rate globally.
Recent data shows a rebound in life expectancy due to decreases in Covid-19 deaths and drug overdoses, with 2023 life expectancy reaching 78.4 years, signaling a positive but cautious trend.