MPA Goal Two: Health Reimagined aims to close the equity gap in and increase life expectancy. Life expectancy is a measure of the average number of years a person who has attained a given age can expect to live. In 2019 and 2020, life expectancy at birth in the United States declined to the lowest level seen since 2003, overwhelmingly due to the devastating effects of COVID-19. Racial and ethnic mortality disparities in life expectancy also increased.  For example, while life expectancy for the black population has consistently been lower than that of the white population, the gap had been narrowing – until growing again in 2019 and 2020, to levels not previously seen since 1999. 

This indicator measures the gap in life expectancy between Black Californians and the statewide average life expectancy at birth and at age 50. The life expectancy disparity that exists for Black Californians at birth persists at age 50, though the gap narrows. Check out the Health Reimagined Goal Page to explore dynamic visualizations and view more detailed data related to this topic.

To learn more about our data sources and methodologies, please see the Data Dashboard for Aging - About the Data Technical Guide.

• National Vital Statistics System: Life Expectancy (CDC)
• Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2020 (CDC)
• Life Expectancy at Birth (OECD)
• California Community Burden of Disease Engine (CDPH)
• National Equity Atlas: Life Expectancy (PolicyLink/USC)