NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New Yorkers are living longer than ever, with an overall life expectancy of over 83 years, the city Health Department said Thursday.
New Yorkers' life expectancy dipped during the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping from 82.6 years in 2019 to 80.7 in 2021. But it rose to 82.6 years in 2023 and to the new record of 83.2 last year, officials said.
That's five years more than the average U.S. life expectancy of 78.4 years.
Mayor Eric Adams said his administration's HealthyNYC Plan helped drive the number upwards and past the goal set for 2030 by focusing on a number of health issues, including chronic and diet-related diseases, screenable cancers, overdose, suicide, maternal mortality, violence, and COVID-19.
"As I have always said, it’s not just what’s in your DNA, it’s also what’s in your dinner. And, as someone who went from pre-diabetic to plant-based, I know that New Yorkers can improve their health, life expectancy, and quality of life if given the right tools," Adams said.
"We are thrilled to have broken the record for the highest life expectancy in our city’s history at over 83 years old, five years ahead of our HealthyNYC schedule," the mayor said.
The administration said "stark inequities still persist," and that the city will continue to work to bring the age up even higher. For example, heart and diabetes related deaths remain highest among Black New Yorkers, while suicide rates remain highest among white New Yorkers.