These Surprising Counties In Idaho Have Shortest Life Expectancy

Did you know that life expectancy in the United States has been on a generally increasing trend? From 1960 to 2019, it rose by roughly a decade to 79 years, thanks to advancements in healthcare and healthier lifestyle choices. However, since 2020, this trend has unfortunately started to reverse due to factors like the opioid epidemic, COVID-19, and unintentional injuries, mainly from drug overdoses.

 How does Idaho fare in terms of life expectancy? Well, it's a mixed bag. According to data from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute's 2022 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, some counties in Idaho have shorter life expectancies than others.

For instance, Benewah County tops the list with the shortest life expectancy. This is followed by Shoshone County and Lincoln County. On the other hand, Franklin County, Kootenai County, and Custer County are among those with longer life expectancies. Factors such as access to health care, clean air and water, affordable housing, and substance abuse treatments significantly contribute to these disparities.

It's important to remember that life expectancy isn't the only measure of a community's health. It's just one piece of the puzzle. We need to consider other socioeconomic and environmental factors for a more holistic view.

Read More: The Leading Cause of Death in Idaho.

So, if you're planning to move to Idaho or already live there, it's worth digging deeper into your county's health profile. After all, a healthy life is not just about how long you live but how well you live!

To learn more about life expectancy in Idaho counties, you can visit Stacker.