The latest analysis by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine reveals significant disparities in life expectancy based on education levels across different counties in the United States. The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, highlights the widening gap between the least and most educated individuals, with a longer lifespan for those with higher levels of education.
According to the research, the gap in life expectancy between the most and least educated individuals has increased over time, from eight years in 2000 to nearly 11 years in 2019. College graduates saw the largest increase in lifespan, adding 2.5 years to reach an average of 84.2 years. Those with some college education added 0.7 years to reach 82.1 years, while high school graduates added 0.3 years to reach 77.3 years. On the other hand, individuals without a high school diploma saw no improvement in their life expectancy, which remained at 73.5 years.
The study’s senior author, IHME Associate Professor Laura Dwyer-Lindgren, emphasized the link between education and health outcomes, stating that higher levels of education often lead to better job opportunities and access to quality healthcare, contributing to a healthier life.
The disparities in life expectancy were significant across counties, with ranges varying from 68.2 to 93.2 years for all education groups combined. The largest variation was observed among individuals without a high school diploma, with a range of 57.9 to 90.1 years. In comparison, college graduates had a narrower range of 75.2 to 93.9 years.
The study also highlighted geographic disparities within and across education levels. Counties in the Southeast, parts of Appalachia, and South Dakota had lower life expectancies, especially among individuals without a high school diploma. Various regions across the United States experienced declines in life expectancy, with some areas showing significant improvements while others faced challenges.
Female life expectancy was generally higher than that of males, with females averaging almost 72 years for those without a high school diploma, compared to almost 68 years for males. The study found that the gaps in life expectancy between the least and most educated individuals were larger for males and increased over the 20-year period studied.
IHME researchers conducted the first comprehensive study of educational disparities in life expectancy for both sexes across 3,110 counties from 2000 to 2019, covering four educational levels. The findings provide valuable insights into the impact of education on health outcomes and highlight the importance of addressing disparities to improve overall population health.
For more information, you can refer to the study published in The Lancet Public Health by Dillon O Sylte et al. (2025) DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00303-7. This research sheds light on the significant role of education in shaping life expectancy outcomes and underscores the need for targeted interventions to address disparities and promote health equity.
