Study: Lifespan differs up to 20 years between US counties

A new study says where you live may determine how long you live and researchers say it can vary by up to 20 years.

The report is shining a spotlight on the growing gap. In counties with the longest lifespan, people lived to about 87. People in places with the shortest have a lifespan of about 67.

And much of it comes down to socio-economic status.

Counties with higher incomes and more highly educated people live longer, the study says. Poorer communities and less educated tend to have shorter lifespans.

And the inequality is growing.

Lower income areas have seen little progress in fighting health problems such as high blood pressure, smoking and obesity.

It affects the country as a whole and experts say we need to find a better way to reach everyone.

To check out your county: click here.

Online: Inequalities in Life Expectancy Among US Counties, 1980 to 2014

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