Louisiana’s Life Expectancy Lags Behind National Averages

The latest numbers for life expectancy in Louisiana are not good. The data shows the Bayou State is near the bottom of the list in the nation.

Stats from the Centers for Disease Control puts the life expectancy in Louisiana at 72.2 years. This number is based on data from 2021 which is the most recent available from the CDC.

The national life expectancy for 2023 was 78.4 years. That number is up almost a full year from the 2022 data which put the life expectancy for the U.S. population 77.5. The specific number for Louisiana in that year is not available.

National Life Expectancy for Men VS Women

Women in the U.S. will live (on average) to be 81.1 years while men will live to 75.8 years. That’s about a 5 year difference.

READ MORE: Why Is There a Doctor Shortage in Louisiana?

What Are the Leading Causes of Death?

The top 3 leading causes of death in the country are heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries. The leading cause of death in Louisiana is also heart disease.

Another report in A Portrait of Louisiana 2020, puts the life expectancy rate in the state at 76.0 years.

The news for women in Louisiana is much better than for men. Females in the Bayou State have a life expectancy of 78.9 years compared to 73.1 years for men — a gap of nearly 6 years.

READ MORE: What Changes Are on the Way for Social Security?

What Are the Key Reasons Louisiana’s Life Expectancy Is Near the Bottom?

This report has 4 key elements that are a problem in Louisiana:
Chronic Health Conditions
Socio-economic Factors
Healthcare Access
Lifestyle and Diet

What States Have Lower Life Expectancy Than Louisiana?

Only 3 states have a lower life expectancy ranking. Mississippi is the worst in the country with a life expectancy of only 70.9 years. Alabama and West Virginia have lower life expectancies than Louisiana.