Human life expectancy has increased over the past century. This is due to advances in medicine, nutrition, and public health. Digital Journal recently reported on a new study that revealed where an individual lives in the U.S. can make a difference in how long and how well you live.
In a follow-up article, from the same data source provider – stem cell experts at DVC Stem, who have analysed life expectancy data – comes a consideration of the five best states to grow old in. This is based on an assessment of healthcare, welfare provision, care provision and other factors.
The five best states for healthy ageing (with overall score, out of 100)
1 Vermont 67.11
2 Colorado 66.35
3 Washington 64.85
=4 South Dakota 63.67
=4 Minnesota 63.67
5 Maryland 63.62
The analysis suggests that Northern and Western states typically offer better environments for aging populations, with stronger healthcare systems and more favourable environmental conditions.
The key factors evaluated and their relative weightings were:
• Cost of Living (five factors): 8.52%
• Environmental Health Risks (three factors): 8.52%
• Healthcare Costs & Access (nine factors): 17.04%
• Mortality & Disease Prevalence (six factors): 17.61%
• Retirement Income & Stability (four factors): 11.36%
• Senior Functional & Cognitive Health (six factors): 25.56%
• Senior Wellness & Preventive Care (three factors): 11.36%
Vermont is identified as the best state for aging healthily, with an overall score of 67.11 points out of 100. The Green Mountain State ranked third for environmental factors (it has no days with unhealthy air quality), senior cognitive health, and healthcare costs and access.
The state also excels in senior wellness and preventive care, ranking sixth nationally as 75.1 percent of residents over 65 having had a routine checkup in the past year.
Colorado claimed second place with 66.35 points, performing particularly well in mortality rates and disease prevalence, where it ranked third, with lower rates of deaths from heart attacks and strokes (103 per 100,000 people) compared to many states.
Despite not making it to the top five states with the best life expectancy, Colorado places eighth, with residents living an average of 78.3 years. The state also places second for retirement income and stability, with seniors enjoying an average household income of $111,096 per year (though the average personal income of Coloradans over 65 years old drops to $63,492), and an average pension income of $8,268.
Washington comes in third overall, with a score of 64.85 – the state placed second in terms of life expectancy. The Evergreen State also places second for environmental health, with people living there benefiting from excellent air quality and almost no days with unhealthy air, and sixth in healthcare costs and access, which means medical services are more affordable for seniors.
Other states that are among the best for healthy aging are South Dakota and Minnesota in fourth place, scoring 63.67, and Maryland in fifth, scoring 63.62.
Dr. Louis A. Cona, medical director of DVC Stem, tells Digital Journal: “The regional patterns in our data show how dramatically location affects health outcomes as people age. Seniors living in top-performing states, like Vermont and Colorado, enjoy cleaner air, better preventive care access, and more secure retirement systems. All these advantages work together to protect cognitive function and reduce disease rates, leading to better and healthier aging.”
Simple daily habits improve life chances
Cona adds further: “In terms of longevity, simple daily habits can dramatically improve your chances of living a longer, healthier life. Regular physical activity of at least 150 minutes per week can reduce mortality risk by up to 30%, but even modest changes like taking a 15-minute walk daily can add years to your life.”
Picking out the key determinant, Cona identifies: “Nutrition plays an equally important role. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like the Mediterranean diet can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 25%. Limiting processed foods and added sugars is also one of the most impactful dietary changes anyone can make.”
Good mental health is also important, as Cona points out: “Social connections are another critical factor we see in longer-lived communities. People with strong social relationships have a 50% greater likelihood of survival compared to those with weaker social ties. Regular meaningful interaction with others significantly reduces stress hormones that accelerate aging.”
