SC Connecticut News

A recent report by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Research and Action Institute, co-authored by Dr. Megan L. Ranney, Dean of the Yale School of Public Health, explores the effects of alcohol, drug, and firearm deaths on life expectancy in the United States. The study highlights how these factors have contributed to a growing disparity in life expectancy between the U.S. and other high-income countries.

According to the report, eliminating these preventable deaths could increase U.S. life expectancy at birth by 1.6 years, effectively reducing the existing gap in life expectancy with peer nations by about half. The authors suggest that public health interventions and investments in mental health and social services could mitigate not only alcohol, drug, and firearm deaths but also other preventable causes of death across the country.

In 2022, despite significant healthcare spending, U.S. life expectancy was 77.6 years—lower than the average of 80.6 years seen in comparable countries. The same year saw over 48,000 firearm-related deaths, nearly 108,000 drug-related deaths, and more than 51,000 alcohol-induced deaths in the U.S., disproportionately affecting children and younger adults.

The report notes that drug-related deaths resulted in the most significant loss of potential life years; their elimination could extend average American life expectancy by almost one year (0.9 years). Firearm-related deaths accounted for an additional potential gain of 0.4 years in life expectancy if eliminated, while alcohol-induced fatalities represented a possible increase of 0.3 years.

Geographically, ten states would experience more than a two-year increase in life expectancy if these causes were eradicated—ranging from South Carolina's potential gain of 2.0 years to New Mexico's possible improvement of 3.0 years.

Dr. Megan L. Ranney emphasized that "so much of our health and life expectancy is determined by factors outside of the health care system," advocating for targeted interventions beyond clinical settings to address these issues.

Dr. Atul Grover from AAMC stated: “Instead of focusing solely on clinical spending...we need to think about interventions outside of the doctor’s office that affect the health and welfare of our communities.”

The findings underscore non-clinical interventions' crucial role in enhancing longevity in America through measures like mental health treatments and community program enhancements.