According to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the life expectancy at birth for the state of Indiana was 74.6 years in 2021. This was less than the average life expectancy for the country as a whole, which was 76.4 (per CDC). Life expectancy for men in Indiana was 71.8 years versus 77.5 years for women (via World Population Review).
World Population Review explains that, on average, American men live 76.1 years, while women can expect to live about five years longer, with an average lifespan of 81.1 years. This same source states that Hawaii had the longest life expectancy in 2021 at 81.5 years, with women living to an average of 84.3 years. On the other hand, Mississippi had the shortest life expectancy, at 74.6 years. Men in the state had the shortest lifespan, with an average life expectancy of 71.4 years.
Several factors can influence your rate of aging, including genetics and lifestyle. However, it appears that while Indiana has made strides in improving certain aspects of its residents’ health, there have been other factors that have wiped out those gains, leading to an overall decline in life expectancy.
Substance-abuse deaths led to a decline in life expectency
According to reporting by the radio station WKDQ-FM, Indiana has seen progress in reducing deaths from its two leading causes of death, cancer and heart disease, with cancer deaths falling by around 14% and heart disease deaths declining by 10%. However, these improvements have been more than canceled out by a stark increase in substance abuse-related deaths, which have risen by over twofold within a decade, reaching a death rate of 41.0 per 100,000 people in 2021 (per CDC).
WKDQ-FM did note, however, that the state has since made some progress in tackling this problem through measures like funding nonprofits, adding NARCAN to various locations, and conducting studies on the issue. As a result, in 2023, Indiana experienced its second-largest decline in overdose deaths.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Lifestyle changes can help increase life expectancy
While life expectancy statistics tell us something about the overall public health in a particular geographic area, these numbers are not your destiny simply because you live there. There is quite a bit you can do through your lifestyle choices to increase your chances of living to a ripe old age.
One can start by going plant-based: eating a diet that is rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, legumes, and fish, but low in red and processed meat. Physical activity is also crucial in developing a stronger, healthier body, as well as reducing your risk for diseases like heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. Other lifestyle choices that can help you live longer include not smoking, limiting alcohol, getting adequate sleep (here’s how much sleep you need over the age of 50 for healthy aging), and drinking plenty of water. Also, don’t forget your mental health. People who practice positive thinking and maintain social connections also tend to live longer.
