The first country-wide analysis of midlife life expectancy at the US county level that includes estimates for Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders affirms that where an individual is born and where that person resides at midlife (age 50) may predict the individual’s chances of living a long, healthy life.

The report’s county-level data will assist policymakers in designing interventions that address the needs of communities and counties at highest risk, according to AARP, which prepared the report.

The report shows that Black Americans experienced the greatest gains in midlife life expectancy during the study period (2000-2019), whereas Native American midlife life expectancy “stagnated” at the lowest level among all the racial/ethnic groups studied.  White Americans saw the second lowest increase.

AARP also documents growing geographic and racial disparities in midlife life expectancy across the US, and provides recommendations for achieving healthy longevity at the county level. The granular data and analyses make the report a robust resource for active-aging organizations and thought leaders.

To download the full report, click here