Life expectancy for New Yorkers drops to 78 years due to COVID pandemic
A new study has revealed the toll that the pandemic took on New Yorkers as health officials say life expectancy dropped to 78 years between 2019 and 2020.The Department of Health says life expectancy among Black New Yorkers dropped to 73 years, down five and a half years from 2019.Health officials say the pandemic was mostly to blame for the drop in life expectancy.
The pandemic resulted in a mortality rate of 241.3 deaths per 100,000 population in 2020 and its impact exceeds the 1918 influenza pandemic in New York City, which had a mortality rate of 228.9 deaths per 100,000 population, officials said. "The pain and trauma experienced by our city is still very real to so many of us," said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. "This report is an important record of what we've been through and all that we lost. It also reflects the importance of this moment. New Yorkers' lifespans are falling, on top of years of relative flattening before COVID, and that cannot continue.
Mayor Eric Adams' administration has launched a plan to reduce overdose deaths by 15% by 2025 and double the number of New Yorkers in mental health services. However, the Health Department said it also recognizes chronic conditions, like heart disease, are taking too many lives far too soon. Over the coming months, the city will develop and announce a plan to help New Yorkers live longer, healthier lives.