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8.3: The “Graying” Population and Life Expectancy

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    Learning Objectives
    • Explain trends in life expectancies, including factors that contribute to longer life

    The “Graying” of America

    The term “graying of America” refers to the fact that the American population is steadily becoming more dominated by older people. In other words, the median age of Americans is going up.

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 National Population Projections, the year 2030 marks an important demographic turning point in U.S. history. By 2030, all baby boomers will be older than age 65. This will expand the size of the older population so that 1 in every 5 residents will be retirement age. And by 2035, it’s projected that there will be 76.7 million people under the age of 18 but 78 million people above the age of 65. [1]

    United States population data by age group from the U.S. Census Bureau that show population in 1960 as a pyramid shape (wide base, narrow top) with the largest population groups being between 0 and 4 years old, 5 and 9 years old, and 10 and 14 years old. The number of people in age groups decreases as ages rise above forty to forty five years, showing the age group eighty-five plus years old being the smallest population. In contrast, the projected ages for the year 2060 show a pillar-like shape instead of a pyramid, with roughly similar numbers of children, adults, and elderly.
    Figure 1. 2030 marks an important demographic change as international migration is expected to overtake natural increase in the United States.

    The 2030s are projected to be a transformative decade for the U.S. population. The population is expected to grow at a slower pace, age considerably and become more racially and ethnically diverse. Net international migration is projected to overtake natural increase in 2030 as the primary driver of population growth in the United States, another demographic first for the United States.

    Although births are projected to be nearly four times larger than the level of net international migration in coming decades, a rising number of deaths will increasingly offset how much births are able to contribute to population growth. Between 2020 and 2050, the number of deaths is projected to rise substantially as the population ages and a significant share of the population, the baby boomers, age into older adulthood. As a result, the population will naturally grow very slowly, leaving net international migration to overtake natural increase as the leading cause of population growth, even as projected levels of migration remain relatively constant.[2]

    Life Expectancy

    Life expectancy is a statistical measure of the average time an organism is expected to live, based on the year of birth, current age and other demographic factors including gender. The most commonly used measure of life expectancy is at birth (LEB). There are great variations in life expectancy in different parts of the world, mostly due to differences in public health, medical care, and diet, but also affected by education, economic circumstances, violence, mental health, and sex.

    World map of life expectancies, showing lower expectancies concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa ang longer lifespans in Canada, much of Western Europe, Japan, and Australia.
    Figure 2. Life expectancies around the world in 2015.

    Life Expectancy in the United States

    According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), life expectancy in the U.S. now stands at 78.7 years. Women continue to outlive men, with life expectancy being 76.3 years for males, and 81.1 years for females. Life expectancy varies according to race and ethnicity. It is highest for Hispanics, for both males and females, and lower for blacks than for whites or Hispanics.

    Life expectancy for all origins was 78.8 years in 2013 and 78.8 years in 2014. Life expectancy for hispanic people was 81.6 years in 2013 and 81.8 in 2014. Life expectancy for non-hispanic white people was 78.9 years in 2013 and 78.8 years in 2014. Life expectancy for non-hispanic black people was 75.1 years in 2013 and 75.2 years in 2014.
    Figure 3. Life expectancy at birth, by race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2013 and 2014. From CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality.

    Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau reveal that the 85-and over age group is the fastest-growing age group in America. According to the Census Bureau and AgingStats.gov, the over-65 population grew from 3 million in 1900 to 40 million in 2010, an increase of more than 1200%. But during this same time, the over-85 population grew from just over 100,000 in 1900 to 5.5 million in 2010–an increase of 5400%!

    Graph of two populations: those age 65 and older, and those age 85 and over. Population numbers between years 1990 and 2020 are shown, and projected population numbers from 2020 to 2050 are shown. Population over 65 years of age increased greatly from around 10 million in 1950 to around 55 million in 2020. There is a major increase in population aged 65 and older predicted, from about 55 million in 2020 to nearly 100 million by 2050.
    Figure 4. The elderly population is projected to grow significantly in the coming decades. Retrieved from https://partners4prosperity.com//wp-...5-and-over.gif.

    When calculating life expectancy, we consider all of the elements of heredity, health history, current health habits, and current life experiences which contribute to a longer life or subtract from a person’s life expectancy. Recent studies concluded that cutting calorie intake by 15 percent over two years can slow aging and protect against diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.[4]

    Some life factors are beyond a person’s control, and some are controllable. The rising cost of health care is a source of financial vulnerability to older adults. Vaccines are especially important for older adults. As you get older you’re more likely to get diseases like the flu, pneumonia, and shingles, and to have complications that can lead to long-term illness, hospitalization, and even death.

    Things that contribute to longer life expectancies include eating a healthy diet that is rich in plants and nuts. Staying physically active, not smoking, and consuming moderate amounts of alcohol, tea, or coffee are also reported to be beneficial to leading a long life. Other recommendations include being conscientious, prioritizing your happiness, avoiding stress and anxiety, and having a strong social support network. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule and maintaining between 7-8 hours of sleep per night is also beneficial.[5]

    A major reason a person will statistically live longer once they reach an older age is simply that they have made it this far without anything killing them. Also, there appears to be several factors which may explain changes in life expectancy in the United States and around the world—health conditions are better, many diseases have been eliminated or better controlled through medicine, working conditions are better and better lifestyles choices are being made. Such factors significantly contribute to longer life expectancies.

    Key players in improving the quality of life among older adults are the adults themselves. By exercising, reducing stress, not smoking, limiting use of alcohol, consuming more fruits and vegetables, and eating less meat and dairy, older adults can expect to live longer and more active lives (He et. als, 2005). Regular exercise is also associated with a lower risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders, especially Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Stress reduction both in late adulthood and earlier in life is also crucial. The reduction of societal stressors can promote active life expectancy. In the last 40 years, smoking rates have decreased, but obesity has increased, and physical activity has only modestly increased.

    Life Expectancy Tables

    Sometimes referred to mortality tables, death charts or actuarial life tables, these life expectancy tables are strictly statistical, and do not take into consideration any personal health information or lifestyle information. Take a look at life expectancy tables on the Life Expectancy Calculators website.

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    Glossary

    life expectancy:
    a statistical measure of the average time an organism is expected to live, based on the year of its birth, its current age and other demographic factors including gender

    1. US Census Bureau. (2018, October 05). Population Projections. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popproj.html↵
    2. US Census Bureau. (2018, December 03). Older People Projected to Outnumber Children. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2018/cb18-41-population-projections.html↵
    3. He, Wan, Daniel Goodking, and Paul Kowal. An Aging World: 2015. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2016/demo/p95-16-1.pdf. ↵
    4. Leanne M. Redman, Steven R. Smith, Jeffrey H. Burton, Corby K. Martin, Dora Il'yasova, Eric Ravussin (April 2018). Metabolic Slowing and Reduced Oxidative Damage with Sustained Caloric Restriction Support the Rate of Living and Oxidative Damage Theories of Aging.Cell Metabolism. Retrieved from https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(18)30130-X?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS155041311830130X%3Fshowall%3Dtrue ↵
    5. Petre, Alina (April 2019). 13 Habits Linked to a Long Life (Backed by Science. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...to-a-long-life. ↵
    6. Castleman, Michael. The Prescription for a Longer Life? More Sex. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/b...-life-more-sex. ↵
    7. Syme, Maggie. (2014). The evolving concept of older adult sexual behavior and its benefits. Generations. 38. 35-41. ↵

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