Where you live in Ohio can offer a surprising clue about how long you might live.
Life expectancy varies significantly across the state, with a striking difference between neighborhoods and cities. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ohio’s life expectancy ranges from as low as 60 years in a Columbus neighborhood to just over 89 years in a city in Northeast Ohio.
In general, Ohioans don’t live as long as people in other states.
The average life expectancy in Ohio was 76.9 years in 2019, placing it 42nd out of 50 states. By 2020, life expectancy in Ohio dropped to 75.3 years, lower than the national average of 77.3 years. This decline was part of a broader trend across the country, driven by factors like the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid crisis, and other health challenges.
In Columbus, the disparity in life expectancy across neighborhoods is particularly striking.
For instance, residents on the West Side of Columbus face the lowest life expectancy in the state, at just 60 years. This is nearly 30 years shorter than in places like Dublin, where life expectancy reaches 87.6 years.
Other neighborhoods with low life expectancy include Franklinton, where residents live an average of 64.2 years, and the South Side and Near East Side, both averaging 64.4 years. Meanwhile, communities like Dublin, Reynoldsburg, and Bexley boast some of the longest life expectancies in the region, with residents living well into their 80s.
The reasons behind these disparities are complex, involving factors like access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, and environmental conditions. Areas with higher life expectancy often have better access to healthcare, higher incomes, and healthier living environments, while those with lower life expectancy may struggle with poverty, crime, and limited access to medical services.
Understanding these differences is crucial for addressing the health inequities that exist within our state.
While Ohio’s overall life expectancy lags behind many other states, efforts to improve public health, reduce poverty, and increase access to quality healthcare could help close the gap and improve the lives of residents across the state.
