Map Shows US Counties With Life Expectancy Below North Korea's

Published: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 12:32 pm

Shocking Map Reveals US Counties with Lower Life Expectancy Than North Korea

A new report and accompanying map from *Newsweek* paints a stark picture of health disparities within the United States. The analysis reveals that in numerous U.S. counties, particularly in the South, average life expectancy is *lower* than that of North Korea. While North Korea's life expectancy in 2021 was 72.6 years, according to the World Health Organization, several U.S. counties are falling short of this mark.

This alarming trend is highlighted by data from the County Health Rankings project and a recent study by the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), published in JAMA Network Open. The research underscores significant health inequities, especially in the Deep South and Appalachia. These areas often grapple with high poverty rates, limited access to healthcare, and a heavy burden of chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes.

The study examined mortality trends, revealing that while some regions, like the West and Northeast, have seen continuous improvements in life expectancy, the South has stagnated. The Yale study emphasizes the importance of addressing the social determinants of health, such as access to safe housing, living-wage jobs, and well-resourced schools. Researchers are calling for policy changes to combat these disparities, citing decades of cumulative effects related to smoking rates, healthcare access, environmental exposures, and public health investments.

BNN's Perspective: This report is a wake-up call. It's deeply concerning that in a country with such advanced healthcare resources, we see such significant disparities. While the causes are complex, the data clearly points to the need for targeted interventions and policy changes to address the social determinants of health and ensure that all Americans, regardless of where they live, have the opportunity to live long and healthy lives. This requires a balanced approach, focusing on both individual responsibility and systemic improvements.

Keywords: US life expectancy, North Korea life expectancy, health disparities, Southern states, Appalachia, poverty, healthcare access, chronic diseases, Yale School of Public Health, County Health Rankings, social determinants of health, health inequities, mortality trends, policy changes, public health, Newsweek, JAMA Network Open

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