In comparison to other developed nations, America’s overall life expectancy is growing slowly, a study from the National Research Council recently found.
One of the main factors the report identified as being behind the slower gains is smoking. The full impact of high tobacco use rates – particularly among American men – is only now being felt, though this could foreshadow a sharp increase in life expectancy since more recent generations have been much less likely to smoke.
Obesity, as well, could be contributing anywhere from 20 percent to a third of the discrepancy between the U.S. and other developed countries, the study found. Also, unlike smoking, obesity rates continue to be high, meaning the same uptick realized from the fall-off in tobacco use is unlikely.
Additionally, no universal program guaranteeing access to health care is present in the U.S. currently, which may also impact the rates, the NRC said. Experts say health insurance and life insurance policies are likely to be significantly affected by new scientific evidence about the overall life expectancy of the U.S. population.
