Life expectancy in New York has plummeted.
It was caused by the coronavirus pandemic, officials say, but the state saw among the steepest drop in expected lifespan.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that life expectancy dropped by upwards of three years during the pandemic.
“This pandemic has really demonstrated that as a nation we have a lot of work to do and the work is really closing these differences in life expectancy,” Jean Accius, Senior Vice President at AARP said. “A lot of that is actually due to some of the structural inequities that exist that we need to address. Where you live matters significantly.”
The situation could have significant economic impacts, too. “If we do absolutely nothing it will actually cost us $1.6 trillion in terms of lost economic activity,” Accius added.
Stakeholders want to see the state legislature move on various equity items that could address the problems.
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