Boroughs with the shortest life expectancy in Alaska
Life expectancy in the United States has generally been on the rise. Between 1960 and 2019, the life expectancy of Americans rose by roughly a decade to the age of 79. Greater longevity can be attributed to improved health care such as diagnostic and medical advancements, as well as healthier lifestyle choices relating to diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Since 2020, however, life expectancy has started to decline. The opioid epidemic, COVID-19, and unintentional injuries—largely driven by drug overdoses—were the leading causes of a three-year decrease in life expectancy over the last two years. Stark disparities among certain segments of the population have also been observed. American Indians/Alaska Natives saw a life expectancy decrease of more than six years; Hispanic and Black Americans, a drop of four years; and white and Asian Americans, a decrease of about two years.
While no one single factor determines the overall health of an entire community, certain socioeconomic and environmental factors such as access to health care, substance abuse treatments, clean air, clean water, and affordable housing contribute significantly to the general health and wellbeing of the entire population.
Using 2022 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Stacker identified boroughs with the shortest life expectancy in Alaska. Life expectancy measures the average number of years from birth a person can expect to live, and is calculated based on the number of deaths in a given time period and the average number of people at risk of dying during that period. Boroughs with unreliable or insufficient data were excluded from the analysis. Mortality data came from the National Vital Statistics System.
#10. Valdez–Cordova Census Area
- Average life expectancy: 78 years (0.6 less than the statewide average)
- Health outcomes statewide rank: #5
--- Length of life rank: #10
--- Quality of life rank: #2
#9. Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
- Average life expectancy: 77.2 years (1.4 less than the statewide average)
- Health outcomes statewide rank: #4
--- Length of life rank: #9
--- Quality of life rank: #1
#8. Prince of Wales–Hyder Census Area
- Average life expectancy: 76.4 years (2.2 less than the statewide average)
- Health outcomes statewide rank: #18
--- Length of life rank: #18
--- Quality of life rank: #17
#7. North Slope Borough
- Average life expectancy: 76.2 years (2.4 less than the statewide average)
- Health outcomes statewide rank: #13
--- Length of life rank: #11
--- Quality of life rank: #15
#6. Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area
- Average life expectancy: 72.5 years (6.1 less than the statewide average)
- Health outcomes statewide rank: #19
--- Length of life rank: #19
--- Quality of life rank: #19
#5. Northwest Arctic Borough
- Average life expectancy: 71.3 years (7.3 less than the statewide average)
- Health outcomes statewide rank: #23
--- Length of life rank: #20
--- Quality of life rank: #23
#4. Bethel Census Area
- Average life expectancy: 70.7 years (7.9 less than the statewide average)
- Health outcomes statewide rank: #22
--- Length of life rank: #21
--- Quality of life rank: #22
#3. Nome Census Area
- Average life expectancy: 70.3 years (8.3 less than the statewide average)
- Health outcomes statewide rank: #21
--- Length of life rank: #22
--- Quality of life rank: #21
#2. Dillingham Census Area
- Average life expectancy: 70.2 years (8.4 less than the statewide average)
- Health outcomes statewide rank: #20
--- Length of life rank: #23
--- Quality of life rank: #20
#1. Kusilvak Census Area
- Average life expectancy: 67.7 years (10.9 less than the statewide average)
- Health outcomes statewide rank: #24
--- Length of life rank: #24
--- Quality of life rank: #24
