New data shows that the life expectancy for Missourians is at its lowest in 40 years, and the numbers are even more concerning for men. What is behind all of this? Here is what you need to know...

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According to an article from stltoday.com, life expectancy in Missouri has fallen to a 40-year low. The current life expectancy for an average Missourian is down now to 74.6 years which was down from 75 years of age in 2020. In the article they say...

"Missouri’s life expectancy fell again last year as the state recorded an increase in COVID-19 deaths among younger patients and record opioid overdose deaths...More deaths than births were recorded in 2021...male life expectancy stood at 71.7 years while females could expect to live 77.8 years — a 6.1-year difference."

What is also concerning is how quickly the life expectancy numbers have fallen. The life expectancy number for the average Missourian was 77.4 years in 2019, before the pandemic, so it is a 3-year drop over a three-year span.

For men in Missouri that has to be concerning seeing that your life expectancy is only 71 years old. To read more about the life expectancy numbers in Missouri check out the complete article for yourself by clicking here!

It is so crazy that we live in a time where modern medicine has never been better and yet life expectancy rates are falling. Yes, the pandemic should take a huge part of the blame, but the opioid crisis killing young people is playing a big factor in these numbers changing, and the state of Missouri needs to continue to fight that battle hard.

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