Objectives We use new data and robust methods to estimate mortality levels and trends for US states and Washington DC and quantify cohort life expectancy for birth cohorts between 1941 and 2000. Design Observational retrospective cohort study.
Data Mortality data and population estimates for cohorts born between 1941 and 2000 at the state, regional and national levels were obtained from the US Mortality Database. Main outcome measures We estimated cohort life expectancy at birth by sex and geographical level.
We used the coefficient of variation to assess levels and trends in convergence in cohort life expectancy by geographical level. Results In contrast to recent findings, estimates suggest that all states and regions experienced cohort life expectancy gains between the birth cohorts of 1941 and 2000 for both sexes, typically more than 5 years; the range included gains of 7 - 8 years in Oklahoma and Arkansas to over 14 years in Arizona, New Mexico and South Carolina (men).
BMJ Open published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 08 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Life expectancy gains across US states between 1941 and 2000: a cohort study.
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