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A longer life depends on several key factors, including lifestyle choices, where you live and family history. Knowing how each of these factors influence longevity can help you improve your health and well-being.

April 3, 2025

By Dr. Prachi Italiya, Associate medical director
WellMed at Morgan
Corpus Christi, Texas

Are people living longer?

In one word, “Yes.” Americans’ life expectancy has gradually increased over the last several years to its current number of 79.4 years. Ongoing progress in public health, medical innovation and lifestyle changes – following a period of significant setbacks during the COVID 19 pandemic – have been key to this longevity. This is good news, but the reasons behind it are complex.

What’s behind the increase in life expectancy?

  • Medical Innovation: Advancements in treatments for chronic illnesses and better disease management have significantly improved longevity. Breakthroughs in technologies and personalized medicine are helping individuals live healthier lives for longer periods.
  • Improvements in public health conditions: Better sanitation, availability of antibiotics and vaccination programs have significantly reduced the number of preventable deaths each year.
  • Healthier lifestyles: Providing education about good nutrition and the benefits of exercise, along with information about mental health care can not only increase life expectancy, but enhance overall quality of life.

Why do women live longer than men?

Women have historically lived longer than men, which is still true today. This gap expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since narrowed slightly. However, men in the United States still live shorter lives than men in other developed countries — mostly due to lifestyle, healthcare access and biology.

How does America compare to other nations of similar socioeconomic status?

Despite recent gains, the men and women in the United States need to catch up to many other developed countries. Japan, Germany, and Canada boast an average life expectancy of 82 years, five years longer than the US. Higher rates of chronic diseases and obesity, combined with greater socioeconomic inequality and less access to preventive health care are major factors in the gap.

What factors contribute to longevity?

A longer life depends on several key factors: lifestyle choices, where you live and family history. Knowing how each of these factors influence longevity can help you improve your health and well-being.

Lifestyle choices

Your day-to-day habits can have a big impact on how long you may live. Staying active, eating a plant-based diet that contains lots of grains and vegetables, and cutting back on processed foods can improve your health and increase your lifespan. Mental well-being through strong friendships, social connections and stress management also plays a big role in disease prevention. help.

Environment

Where you live and your access to health care play a key role in life expectancy. Clean living spaces and regular medical check-ups focused on prevention can help improve life expectancy.

Genetics

Genes do play a part in your health, but they’re not the whole story. Making healthy lifestyle modifications and keeping up with doctor visits can help lower the risk for illnesses such as cancer or heart disease, even if they run in your family. In some cases, genetic testing can give an early warning on potential issues.

Will life expectancy continue this upward trend?

There are challenges that could slow progress. New medical treatments and technology help people live longer, but chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are still an issue. This is especially true in areas with poor access to health care.

Another key factor is the environment. Air pollution and poor living conditions can harm health and shorten lives. Many areas are trying to improve access to health care, but it can be a struggle. Keeping ahead of these challenges requires better access to health care and cleaner, healthier environments.

Take control of your health

Taking proactive steps now can help protect your health. Regular well-check doctor visits are essential. Don’t wait until you’re sick to see your doctor—these visits are key to detecting problems early. Keeping current on vaccinations and screenings is also important for maintaining long-term health. Your doctor can help guide you on the best ways to stay healthy and prevent illnesses. Invest in your health now, for a longer and healthier life span.

Sources

Dr. Prachi Italiya is the associate medical director for WellMed at Morgan in Corpus Christi, TX. She is a graduate of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. She did her residency and geriatrics fellowship at Christus Spohn Family Medicine.

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