Covid-19 Pandemic Reduces Life Expectancy of New Yorkers by Almost Five Years, Six Years in Hispanic Population: Report

NEW YORK. The covid-19 pandemic reduced the life expectancy of New Yorkers in almost five years, although in the Hispanic population, that drop reached six years, according to a recent report from the New York Department of Health.

In its April 7, 2023 Vital Statistics report, the New York Department of Health highlights the impact that the coronavirus pandemic covid-19 had in New York between 2019 and 2020.

In that period the mortality rate shot up by 50% in 2020, something that had not been seen in 200 years, causing the life expectancy of its inhabitants to fall to 78 years, on average.

In more specific data, the Department of Health indicates that the reduction in life expectancy was higher among Hispanics from New York. His life expectancy dropped to 77.3 years. While New York African-Americans at 73 and white New Yorkers saw a three-year decline, bringing their life expectancy to 80.1.

These figures exceed those of the 1918 influenzawhen the mortality rate was 228.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants of the city, while during covid-19 the mortality rate was 241.3 per 100,000 inhabitants of New York.

“Over the previous decade,” the report explains, “the age-adjusted death rate in New York State had been declining. In 2019 there were nearly 157,000 deaths in New York State. In 2020, the number of deaths increased by almost 47,000, to 203,393.

These figures represent largest decline in life expectancy in decades for New Yorkers.

Although overall, Covid-19 was the second leading cause of death in New York in 2020, behind heart disease (it claimed 48,301 lives), for Hispanics and Asians, it was the leading cause of death.

Another significant increase that rocked New Yorkers, especially in the Big Apple, was the overdose death of drugs. These increased by 42%, compared to the previous year,

Figures from the Department of Health also revealed that the group most affected by overdose deaths were city residents between the ages of 55 and 64, outpacing all other age groups.

The Department of Health indicated that the differences in the impact of covid-19 between different ethnic groups emphasizes the importance of addressing the inequities that lead to poor health outcomes.

“The pain and trauma experienced by our city it is still very real for many of us,” said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan.

“This report is an important record of what we have been through and all that we lost. It also reflects the importance of this moment. The life expectancy of New Yorkers is declining, despite the years of relative stagnation before covid-19, and that cannot continue.

Vasan also said that today’s great challenge is to “shape an agenda for the next era of public health, reverse these trends, and set ourselves on a new path where all New Yorkers can lead healthier, longer lives. We are putting every ounce of ourselves to achieve that goal, and honor the memory of the lost, as we do.”