In this article, we will be taking a look at the 5 US cities with the shortest life expectancies. If you wish to learn about more, head straight to the 20 US Cities With the Shortest Life Expectancies.
5. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
Life Expectancy: 75.2
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX stands fifth among the US cities with the shortest life expectancies. One of the primary reasons for the short life expectancy in Beaumont-Port Arthur is the high concentration of petrochemical plants and refineries in the area which is known as the “Cancer Belt“. Studies have shown that working conditions in these plants have exposed workers to confirmed and suspected carcinogens, including chemicals associated with causing leukemia.
4. Montgomery, AL
Life Expectancy: 74.7
Montgomery, AL has a life expectancy of 74.7 years. 23.3% of adults in the city report to be in poor or fair general health. The teen birth rate is also high in the city at 34.7 per 1000 females aged 15-19. The cancer incidence rate is 451.4 per 100,000 people and about 37.6% of the population is obese while 14% of the population suffers from diabetes. Heart disease prevalence is comparatively low at 6%.
3. Birmingham-Hoover, AL
Life Expectancy: 74.6
Birmingham-Hoover has one of the lowest life expectancies in the US at 74.6 years. The poverty rate in the city stands at 13.9%. Around 5.2% of people under 65 had some sort of disability in 2022.
2. Mobile, AL
Life Expectancy: 74.4
Mobile, AL has a life expectancy of 74.4 years. Around 21.2% of the adults are reported to be in poor or fair general health. The teenage birth rate is also high at 27.7 per 1000 females aged 15-19. 12.7% of the total population is uninsured and the rate of hospital bed availability stands at 4.7 per 1000 people. The city has one of the highest cancer incidence rates in the US at 440.6 per 100,000 people. Around 36.4% of the total population is obese and around 13% suffer from diabetes. The smoking rate which is another main factor for shorter life expectancy in the city is also high at 21.4%
1. Jackson, MS
Life Expectancy: 74.4
Jackson, MS tops the list for being one of the US cities with the shortest life expectancies at 74.4 years. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Mississippi had the greatest share of people living below the poverty line at 19.5%. Around 34.6% of the adults reported having no leisure-time physical activity and around 20.5% of people report to have poor or fair general health. The primary care doctor availability is very low in the city at 0.99 per 1000 people which is one of the main reasons for the lowest life expectancy in this city. The cancer incidence rate is also high at 465.6 per 100,000 people. In addition to that, around 38.6% of the population is obese while 11.1% suffer from diabetes.
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