The Life Expectancy at Birth data from the United States Small-Area Life Expectancy Estimates Project (USALEEP), developed by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, provides estimates of the average number of years a newborn is expected to live if current mortality rates persist throughout their lifetime. Unlike national or state-level averages, USALEEP offers highly granular data down to the census tract level, allowing for neighborhood-specific analysis. These estimates are derived from death records, population counts, and statistical modeling, making them a critical tool for understanding health outcomes within communities.

Life expectancy is a fundamental measure of community health, economic stability, and social equity. Lower life expectancy often correlates with higher rates of chronic illness, poverty, and limited access to healthcare—factors that also influence the quality of life in retirement. For cities, disparities in life expectancy by neighborhood signal underlying inequities in education, housing, income, and environmental conditions, which are crucial for planning age-friendly policies and services.

The U.S. Small-area Life Expectancy Estimates Project (USALEEP) was a pioneering collaboration between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS)¹. It produced life expectancy at birth estimates for nearly every U.S. census tract—totaling around 67,000 small communities—for the period from 2010 to 2015. However, due to a lack of funding, the data has not been updated since the granular level of a census tract. But the CDC, through its National Vital Statistics Reports, continues to provide state-level data. The last release was in August 2024 for data on Life Expectancy in 2021. 

The latest release of the data shows that for the 10 states that are part of the Peer City cohort tracked by the State of Jax, Life Expectancy at Birth dropped by 2.7 years from 2015 to 2021. However, the relative ranking of the 10 states did not materially change in 2021 compared to 2015. This assures us that, although the period of this data is almost a decade old, the relative rankings of the Peer Cities may still be a valuable indicator for studying and drawing inferences from. 

Why Does This Matter?

1. Overall Quality of Life Indicator:
   • Life expectancy is a composite measure influenced by health care access, income, education, housing, and environmental factors, making it a strong proxy for community well-being.²³
2. Health Inequality Mapping:
   • Significant variations often exist within the same city, revealing disparities linked to socioeconomic status, race, and neighborhood conditions. This helps identify areas needing targeted health and social interventions.⁴
3. Economic Impact:
   • Longer life expectancy correlates with greater economic productivity, higher labor force participation, and reduced health care costs over time.
   • Lower life expectancy areas often indicate lost economic potential, increased public health expenditures, and social service strain.
4. Policy and Resource Allocation:
   • Serves as a guiding metric for public health investments, social programs, and equity-focused policies, ensuring resources are directed to the most vulnerable neighborhoods.