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Important Facts for Life Expectancy at Birth

Definition

Average life span or number of years of life that could be expected if current death rates were to remain constant

Numerator

Not applicable. For information on life expectancy calculation, please see [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/LifeExp.html Life Expectancy].

Denominator

See numerator note.

Why Is This Important?

Life expectancy is a summary mortality measure often used to describe the overall health status of a population.

How Are We Doing?

Life expectancy was slowly increasing among all racial and ethnic groups as well as among both males and females until 2015. Small declines in overall life expectancy were experienced the following three years before again increasing slightly in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused average life expectancy (ALE) among all New Jersey residents to decline 3 years. The impact on ALE was not the same among different groups. Between 2019 and 2020, ALE declined by 7.7 years among Hispanics, 6.1 years among Asians, 4.7 years among Blacks, and 1.7 years among Whites. ALE among males declined 3.3 years while the decline among females was 2.4 years. As of 2020, the average life expectancy among New Jersey residents was 77.7 years. Life expectancy among females (80.7 years) was six years greater than among males (74.8). Among New Jersey residents, life expectancy is highest among Asians (86.1 years), followed by Hispanics and Whites (both 78.4), and Blacks (72.2). By county, estimates range from 72.3 years in Salem to 82.4 years in Hunterdon.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Life expectancy among New Jersey residents is slightly greater than the U.S. estimate of 77.0 years. [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/life-expectancy.htm ^1^]
The information provided above is from the Department of Health's NJSHAD web site (https://nj.gov/health/shad). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Tue, 19 March 2024 2:05:43 from Department of Health, New Jersey State Health Assessment Data Web site: https://nj.gov/health/shad ".

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