HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi is known around the world for its beaches, mountains and natural beauty. But the islands stand out for another important reason: people in Hawaiʻi live longer, healthier lives than people in any other state, at least we did before COVID.
According to government data, Hawaiʻi had the highest life expectancy at birth in 2020. Babies born in the islands could expect to live an average of 80.7 years.
That’s almost four years more than the national average of 77 years. Here’s what we know from the report.
Living longer from the start
In 2019, Hawaiʻi’s life expectancy at birth was even higher at 82.3 years. Like the rest of the country, the number dropped in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But even with the decrease, Hawaiʻi still ranked number one. By comparison, Mississippi had the lowest life expectancy at just 71.9 years.
Staying ahead in later life
People in Hawaiʻi also live longer once they reach older ages. In 2020, a 65-year-old in Hawaiʻi could expect to live another 21.7 years.
That’s better than the U.S. average of 19.5 years. In 2019, the number was slightly higher at 21.8 years, but the islands continued to lead the nation.
How Hawaiʻi’s decline compares
Across the country, life expectancy dropped sharply between 2019 and 2020. Nationally, it fell by 1.8 years, while Hawaiʻi saw a smaller drop of 1.6 years.
That means the gap between Hawaiʻi and the rest of the country actually grew. In 2019, Hawaiʻi’s advantage was 2.9 years. In 2020, it jumped to 3.7 years, the biggest difference of any state.
Why people in Hawaiʻi live longer even as life expectancy declines
So, what’s behind Hawaiʻi’s success? Health experts point to lower death rates from major diseases like heart disease, cancer, and lung disease.
These illnesses are some of the top causes of death across the U.S., but Hawaiʻi’s rates are much lower. This helps explain why people in the islands are more likely to live into old age.
Click here for the full report.
Looking ahead
Still, there are challenges. Many Hawaiʻi families face the high cost of living and often need multiple jobs just to get by.
Some wonder if these pressures could affect health in the future. For now, though, the numbers are clear: people in Hawaiʻi live longer than anywhere else in America.