A major new study from Yale School of Public Health reveals the US states where Americans are ageing faster.
Researchers analysed over 179 million deaths from 1969 to 2020, finding that while states like New York and California saw life expectancy soar by over 20 years, some Southern states saw increases of less than three.
Using advanced statistical models, the team linked slower ageing and longer lives to stronger public health policies, better healthcare access, and early-life interventions like sanitation and vaccination.
In contrast, states like Mississippi and Kentucky showed minimal progress, due to higher poverty and fewer health policies.
The study warns that without policy changes, these gaps in health outcomes will continue to grow.