U.S. Life Expectancy Rebounds in 2022, But Falls Short of Pre-Pandemic Levels

Life expectancy in the U.S. increased by 1.1 years in 2022, following two years of decline due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it still lags behind pre-pandemic levels. Other countries saw their life expectancies rebound in 2021 with the introduction of vaccines and better treatments, while the U.S. experienced a further decline. The increase in life expectancy in 2022 was mainly driven by a decrease in Covid deaths, as well as smaller decreases in deaths from other causes. However, deaths from pneumonia, the flu, malnutrition, and other factors prevented a greater increase. Racial disparities in life expectancy persist, with perinatal mortality rates being highest among Black Americans. The report also highlighted a concerning increase in deaths from malnutrition in the U.S. Overall, while there have been improvements, the U.S. still has a long way to go in improving public health.