South Carolina Life Expectancy Rates Are Alarming
The latest life expectancy rates have arrived, and those rates fell in all 50 states and the District of Columbia from 2019 to 2020 by 1.8 years, according to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from experts. In South Carolina, specifically, life expectancy rates are among the worst in the country.
South Carolina Life Expectancy Rates
The life expectancy at birth for the U.S. fell from 78.8 years in 2019 to 77 years in 2020. Now, before you start freaking out about life expectancy rates dropping in the U.S., note that according to the study, the national decline was mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and increases in “unintentional injuries,” such as drug overdose deaths. Not that it’s a good thing that COVID-19 and drug overdose deaths cause the life expectancy rates to drop, but at least it’s not an unknown why the numbers are trending downwards.
In 2020, life expectancy was recorded as 74.2 years for males and 79.9 years for females. The state with the biggest change in life expectancy in a negative way was New York, going down three years. Consequently, the state that had the smallest drop in life expectancy was Hawaii, which had just a 0.2 drop to 80.7 years.
Hawaii has the highest life expectancy in the country at 80.7 years. Other states inside the top five for the highest life expectancy were Massachusetts at 79.6 years, Connecticut at 79.2 years, New York at 79 years and New Jersey at 79 years. Mississippi had the lowest life expectancy in the U.S. at 71.9 years. The other states in the bottom five for the lowest life expectancy rates were West Virginia at 71 years, Alabama at 72 years, Louisiana at 72.2 years and Kentucky at 72.3 years.
Also note that in the report, the experts at the CDC state, “The methodology used to estimate the 2020 complete life tables for the 50 states and D.C. presented in this report is the same as that used to estimate the annual U.S. national life tables, with some modifications.” They add, “For some states, very small age specific or zero numbers of deaths in childhood ages sometimes required the use of additional smoothing techniques not needed in constructing the national life tables.”
So, what about South Carolina? The state is towards the bottom on the worst tally, coming in at No. 42 with a life expectancy of 74.8. Looking at men, that number is 71.7, and for women, it’s 78.0. So, it’s alarming to see South Carolina towards the bottom of the pack. In North Carolina, the life expectancy is 76.1, and they’re ranked 35.
People Who Live to 100 Have These Things in Common
1. They Have a Good Immune System
A new study published in the journal eBioMedicine looked at the DNA and lifestyle of seven centenarians to see what they had in common to live so long. The researchers found that people in the 100+ age group, not surprisingly, had a strong immune system that had allowed them to fight off a lot of illnesses. It helped them stay alive longer.
They Have a Good Immune System
2. How to Improve Your Immune System
If having a good immune system isn’t in your genres, according to the experts at Harvard, you can boost your immune system by eating a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables. Another way is to exercise regularly and have a healthy weight. A few other ways include getting enough sleep, only drinking in moderation, not smoking, staying up to date with immunizations and avoiding stress.
Ways to Improve Your Immune System
3. They Have Chronic Illnesses Later in Life
According to a recent study published in the National Library of Medicine, “The age at which 20% of each of the centenarian groups experienced morbidity was significantly delayed by between 18 and 24 years.” That means these people got chronic illnesses much later than their peers. It helped them live longer.
They Have Chronic Illnesses Later in Life
4. They Exercise Regularly
This one shouldn’t be a surprise. According to a National Institutes of Health study, 2.5 hours of moderate activity a week could increase your life by 3.4 years. Studies also show that places around the world with the most centenarians are often in places with rural communities, where they are up and walking around instead of sitting at a desk. So, get out and move.
They Exercise Regularly
5. They Aren't Overweight
Keeping their weight in check is apparently another commonality with people who make it to 100 years old. In a Harvard-Salk Institute paper about longevity, they note, “At present, calorie restriction remains the most robust [i.e., evidence based] strategy for extending health and lifespan in most biological models tested.” So, eat, but do so mindfully. They also eat healthy, which goes along with longevity.
They Aren’t Overweight
6. They Stay Connected
As they say, people need people. According to a research study via PNAS.org, having real, quality social ties with friends and family has been associated with better health. Also, being socially isolated has been associated with an increased risk of inflammation in people of different ages. So, don’t be such a hermit.
They Stay Connected
7. They Have Faith
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, “While there is no definitive scientific evidence linking directly spirituality and longevity some research suggests that spiritual practices and beliefs may have indirect effects on physical and mental health, which could potentially contribute to longer life spans.” So, it’s not a sure thing. But, it appears having beliefs and spirituality is something that many people over 100 share. Pray up, my friend.
They Have Faith
8. Blood Commonalities
A recent study published in GeroScience shows that those 100 years of age and older have some similarities in their blood. According to research, they have lower, but not super low, levels of creatinine, glucose and uric acid. Talk to your doctor about ways to get your blood to those levels, and talk to you doctor about any changes you plan to make to your lifestyle and diet, of course.
Blood Commonalities
