COVID-19, thanks to the immunity acquired through vaccination and past infections, is clearly not as serious a mortal threat as it was during the first two years of the pandemic.
The latest life expectancy report affirms that.
In 2022, life expectancy in the U.S. rose by 13 months to 77½ years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that 84% of the improvement was a result of a much lower number of COVID deaths.
The bad news, though, is that, Americans on average are still dying 16 months sooner than they did before the virus’ arrival. That’s in part because COVID, while less of a threat, is still around, claiming around 200 lives a day. But the biggest factors now are non-viral epidemics in drug overdoses and suicides. These are not retreating.
These so-called deaths of despair have been on the rise for the past decade. Although COVID might have worsened the situation due to the anxiety and isolation the virus caused, it’s by far not the only factor. The overuse of addictive medications and the explosion of social media, with all the bullying, harassment and feelings of inadequacy it engenders, have been their own drivers of early deaths.
The scientists were able to develop vaccines against COVID at warp speed. It may take a lot longer to reverse other factors that are shortening how long Americans live.
