By Dr. Tim Sandle
May 11, 2025
DIGITAL JOURNAL
Lovely setting! Waianae is in the remote western part (Leeward Shores) of Oahu, and is far removed from the bustle, hustle, and glitz of Honolulu and Waikiki.
Lovely setting! Waianae is in the remote western part (Leeward Shores) of Oahu, and is far removed from the bustle, hustle, and glitz of Honolulu and Waikiki.
— Photo by Scarlet Sappho CC BY-SA 2.0
Human life expectancy has increased over the past century thanks to advances in medicine, nutrition, and public health. But a new study reveals that where a person lives in the U.S. can still make a major difference in how long and how well you live. This can be a difference of up to nine years.
The stem cell research firm DVC Stem has compiled life expectancy data from the U.S. to determine which states have the highest longevity rates. Researchers also looked at 36 metrics across seven categories – including healthcare access, cost of living, and senior wellness – to find out which states provide the best conditions for senior health and well-being (scored out of 100 based on their performance, with a higher score indicating healthier ageing).
According to the findings, residents of Hawaii live nearly nine years longer on average than those in Mississippi, while Vermont is the best state for seniors to age healthily.
Three out of the eight states with the highest life expectancy (accounting for ties) also place among the top five for healthy aging.
From the above, Hawaii leads the U.S. with a life expectancy of 80.7 years, outperforming all other states by a significant margin. The Aloha State also has low respiratory disease death rates, with only 45.9 deaths per 100,000 residents.
Washington comes next, with a life expectancy of 79.2 years. The state’s residents benefit from high rates of preventative care, with 69.3% of seniors receiving flu immunizations.
Minnesota residents can expect to live 79.1 years on average, placing the state third in the rankings. The North Star State shows strong performance in healthcare access and mortality prevention, with only 55.1 deaths per 100,000 from respiratory diseases.
Massachusetts ties for fourth with a life expectancy of 79 years and has the highest percentage of adults who have had routine checkups within the past year at 80.9%.
New Hampshire also reports a life expectancy of 79 years, with 70.9% of seniors receiving flu vaccinations annually.
California matches New Hampshire and Massachusetts with a life expectancy of 79 years despite its large and diverse population. The Golden State performs exceptionally well in mortality and disease prevalence metrics, ranking fifth in this category.
Vermont ties for fifth place, with a life expectancy of 78.8 years, excelling in senior functional and cognitive health, with only 4.74% of seniors reporting serious cognitive difficulties.
Oregon also reports a life expectancy of 78.8 years, performing particularly well in healthcare costs and access, ranking 4th in this category.
From the second table, Mississippi has the nation’s lowest life expectancy at 71.9 years, nearly 9 years shorter than Hawaii – the state places 49th in senior wellness and preventative care with only 59.5% of seniors receiving flu immunizations.
West Virginia comes second, with residents living an average of 72.8 years, the second-lowest in the nation. The state has the highest deaths from heart attacks and strokes (238.81 per 100,000 people) and cancer (262.63 per 100,000 people) among all states.
Alabama comes next, with a life expectancy of 73.2 years. The state has the highest death rate from cardiovascular diseases at 216.86 per 100,000 residents and lands 47th for mortality and disease prevalence overall.
Louisiana residents have a life expectancy of 73.1 years, with only 53% of its senior residents immunized against flu.
Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas tie for the fifth-lowest position with life expectancies of 73.8 years. Kentucky and Arkansas show troubling rates of deaths from respiratory diseases (101.97 and 99.28 per 100,000 people, respectively), while Tennessee has significantly elevated death rates from heart attacks and strokes (203.70 per 100,000).
The regional patterns show how significantly location affects health outcomes as people age. Location will be affected by income and local provision,
Human life expectancy has increased over the past century thanks to advances in medicine, nutrition, and public health. But a new study reveals that where a person lives in the U.S. can still make a major difference in how long and how well you live. This can be a difference of up to nine years.
The stem cell research firm DVC Stem has compiled life expectancy data from the U.S. to determine which states have the highest longevity rates. Researchers also looked at 36 metrics across seven categories – including healthcare access, cost of living, and senior wellness – to find out which states provide the best conditions for senior health and well-being (scored out of 100 based on their performance, with a higher score indicating healthier ageing).
According to the findings, residents of Hawaii live nearly nine years longer on average than those in Mississippi, while Vermont is the best state for seniors to age healthily.
Three out of the eight states with the highest life expectancy (accounting for ties) also place among the top five for healthy aging.
The U.S. states with the highest life expectancy
| Rank | State | Life expectancy (years) |
| 1 | Hawaii | 80.7 |
| 2 | Washington | 79.2 |
| 3 | Minnesota | 79.1 |
| =4 | Massachusetts | 79 |
| =4 | New Hampshire | 79 |
| =4 | California | 79 |
| =5 | Vermont | 78.8 |
| =5 | Oregon | 78.8 |
Washington comes next, with a life expectancy of 79.2 years. The state’s residents benefit from high rates of preventative care, with 69.3% of seniors receiving flu immunizations.
Minnesota residents can expect to live 79.1 years on average, placing the state third in the rankings. The North Star State shows strong performance in healthcare access and mortality prevention, with only 55.1 deaths per 100,000 from respiratory diseases.
Massachusetts ties for fourth with a life expectancy of 79 years and has the highest percentage of adults who have had routine checkups within the past year at 80.9%.
New Hampshire also reports a life expectancy of 79 years, with 70.9% of seniors receiving flu vaccinations annually.
California matches New Hampshire and Massachusetts with a life expectancy of 79 years despite its large and diverse population. The Golden State performs exceptionally well in mortality and disease prevalence metrics, ranking fifth in this category.
Vermont ties for fifth place, with a life expectancy of 78.8 years, excelling in senior functional and cognitive health, with only 4.74% of seniors reporting serious cognitive difficulties.
Oregon also reports a life expectancy of 78.8 years, performing particularly well in healthcare costs and access, ranking 4th in this category.
In contrast, the U.S. states with the lowest life expectancy
| Rank | State | Life Expectancy (years) |
| 1 | Mississippi | 71.9 |
| 2 | West Virginia | 72.8 |
| 3 | Alabama | 73.2 |
| 4 | Louisiana | 73.1 |
| =5 | Kentucky | 73.8 |
| =5 | Tennessee | 73.8 |
| =5 | Arkansas | 73.8 |
West Virginia comes second, with residents living an average of 72.8 years, the second-lowest in the nation. The state has the highest deaths from heart attacks and strokes (238.81 per 100,000 people) and cancer (262.63 per 100,000 people) among all states.
Alabama comes next, with a life expectancy of 73.2 years. The state has the highest death rate from cardiovascular diseases at 216.86 per 100,000 residents and lands 47th for mortality and disease prevalence overall.
Louisiana residents have a life expectancy of 73.1 years, with only 53% of its senior residents immunized against flu.
Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas tie for the fifth-lowest position with life expectancies of 73.8 years. Kentucky and Arkansas show troubling rates of deaths from respiratory diseases (101.97 and 99.28 per 100,000 people, respectively), while Tennessee has significantly elevated death rates from heart attacks and strokes (203.70 per 100,000).
The regional patterns show how significantly location affects health outcomes as people age. Location will be affected by income and local provision,
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