Life Expectancy

When it comes to life expectancy, one would assume that the most powerful country in the world would rank pretty high, right? Well, not exactly. The United States actually ranks lower than Puerto Rico, a small island territory in the Caribbean. In fact, as of 2020, the US is ranked 46th in the world for life expectancy, with an average of 77.3 years.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico has a life expectancy of 80.1 years. This disparity is due to a variety of factors, including differences in healthcare access and affordability, rates of chronic disease, and social determinants of health such as poverty and education. Improving life expectancy will require a concerted effort from policymakers, healthcare providers, and individual citizens alike, but it’s a goal that’s well worth striving for.