- A recent study analyzed health data across all US states to identify the top ten states where people live the longest.
- Massachusetts ranks first on the list of top US states where people live the longest.
- Florida has the highest physical activity level among its senior population, indicating its residents’ active and healthy lifestyle practices.
- A recent study by Ben’s Natural Health analyzed health data across all US states to identify the top ten states where people live the longest. The research focused on individuals aged 60 and above, considering key factors directly influencing longevity and quality of life. Metrics such as physical activity levels, smoking rates, early mortality rates, and the percentage of the senior population were evaluated. Additionally, the study took into account the quality of life index, the percentage of people with dedicated healthcare providers, those reporting high health status, and overall population data. Each metric was given equal weighting, as all are directly connected to longevity, creating a composite index that reflects health and life expectancy across the states.
Full list of findings:
| States | Physical activity levels (Ages 60+) | Early Mortality Rate per 100K (Ages 65-75) | Dedicated Health Care Provider – Age 65+ | High Health Status – Age 65+ | Composite Index |
| Massachusetts | 21.10% | 1920 | 97.40% | 48.70% | 51.65 |
| Maine | 24.50% | 2328 | 96.50% | 48.20% | 50.60 |
| New Hampshire | 19.80% | 2078 | 96.90% | 50.00% | 49.84 |
| New Jersey | 22.50% | 1990 | 95.60% | 47.10% | 48.58 |
| Vermont | 19.70% | 2047 | 96.10% | 48.00% | 48.49 |
| Florida | 26.50% | 2258 | 94.30% | 43.90% | 48.43 |
| Connecticut | 22.10% | 1918 | 96.50% | 46.80% | 46.79 |
| Rhode Island | 25.40% | 2078 | 96.70% | 45.10% | 46.24 |
| Idaho | 22.60% | 2086 | 95.00% | 46.50% | 45.50 |
| New York | 25.50% | 2001 | 94.90% | 40.90% | 45.46 |
Massachusetts ranks first as the state where people live the longest with a composite score of 51.65. The state has a low early mortality rate of 1,9K per 100K seniors, paired with 97.4% of seniors having dedicated healthcare providers. A quality of life index of 62.65 also highlights the state’s supportive environment for its aging population.
Maine comes second with a composite index of 50.60, largely due to its high physical activity rate of 24.5% among seniors. While its early mortality rate is higher at 2,3K per 100K, the state’s strong healthcare system and active lifestyle culture contribute to longevity.
New Hampshire ranks third, with a composite score of 49.84, helped by a relatively low early mortality rate of 2K and a high percentage of seniors reporting good health (50%). The state also offers strong healthcare access, with 96.9% of seniors having a dedicated healthcare provider.
New Jersey ranks fourth, with a composite index of 48.58. The state has one of the lowest smoking rates among seniors (7%) and a relatively low early mortality rate of 1,9K. A high quality of life index of 62.01 further supports senior well-being.
Vermont takes fifth place with a composite score of 48.49. While the state has a higher early mortality rate of 2K, its quality of life index of 57.52 and a large percentage of physically active seniors (19.7%) helped boost its ranking.
Florida ranks sixth, earning a composite index of 48.43. It leads the nation in senior physical activity at 26.5%, promoting a healthy lifestyle. Higher early mortality rate of 2,2K slightly lowers its overall ranking.
Connecticut ranks seventh with a composite index of 46.79. It has the lowest early mortality rate on the list, which, combined with strong healthcare access (96.5%), contributes to its high life expectancy.
Rhode Island ranks eighth, with a composite index of 46.24. The state’s high physical activity rate of 25.4% among seniors, coupled with strong healthcare access (96.7%), supports longevity despite an early mortality rate of 2K.
Idaho secures ninth place with a composite score of 45.50. Its senior population enjoys a high physical activity rate of 22.6%, and a low smoking rate of 7%, both contributing to better health outcomes, although its early mortality rate remains high.
New York rounds out the top ten with a composite score of 45.46. The state boasts the second-highest physical activity level among seniors (25.5%) and a strong quality of life index (60.64). High early mortality rate lowers its ranking, but its active and health-conscious population ensures a higher quality of life and secure a place in the ranking.
For the full research please follow this link
Methodology
The Composite Longevity Index evaluates key factors influencing life expectancy and well-being for individuals aged 60 and older, incorporating seven variables to offer a comprehensive view of senior health across states.
Data Collection and Scaling: Data on physical activity, smoking rates, early mortality, healthcare access, and other factors was gathered from reliable sources. After cleaning for consistency, the data was scaled for comparability across different metrics.