Life Expectancy Study Troubling for Fredericksburg Men

Fredericksburg men got some bad news after a new study on the country’s life expectancy was released this July.

The Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation examined the average life expectancies of men and women across the United States in 2010, and found that men in Fredericksburg live an average of 73.3 years, a three-year difference from the state average of 76.3 years.

While the study’s findings may seem grim, health experts say there are a variety of ways to easily improve longevity.

“When it comes to life expectancy, genetics loads the gun, but it’s your lifestyle that shoots it,” said Sheena Mackenzie, the development director of Central Virginia Health Services. “We often find that men tend to shy away from healthcare specialists, but it’s really all about taking a proactive role in your health.”

Developing healthy eating habits is another way to live a longer life.

“Foods like fiber, whole grains, and vegetables can all help you age gracefully,” said Nancy Farrell, a dietitian with Farrell Dietitian Services.

Even something as simple as keeping a positive attitude can increase your lifespan.

“Most people think they have to do something extreme to live healthy, like becoming vegan, but just keeping an optimistic outlook on life can help you live as much as eight years longer than people who are more negative,” said Donna Hetrick, a nutritionist with Lifestyle Fitness & Nutrition.

Using the map above, you can see how Fredericksburg residents compare with the rest of Virginia and the nation. 

Across the country, people are living longer than ever, according to a new study from the University of Washington, which analyzed life expectancy rates for both men and women from 1985-2010.

Throughout the US, major improvements in life expectancy occurred in areas with large metropolises, like parts of California, Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Iowa, New York and Virginia. But the disparity is widening, with counties in Oklahoma, Kentucky, Mississippi and Alabama seeing declines or stagnations in residents’ average age of death.

Researchers also found that women were living longer than men in every county in 2010. But men are catching up, having adding 5.3 years to their lives since 1985, while women only added 3.

Even more worrisome is that 45% of women in counties nationwide are dying younger now or at the same rate than they were in 1985. So while men are living longer in counties across the country, women are remaining stagnant in much of the country.