While it’s been a rough 12-months we are hopefully now leaving behind in the rear view mirror, here’s some minor uplifting news. The newest U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Vital Statistics Report (say that three times fast) indicates that Hawai`i continues to lead the league in life expectancy. Yes, people living in Hawai’i live longer than people living in any other state in the union. And, one could argue, with quantity of life here comes quality of life.
There is an obvious price one pays for paradise, but it’s nice to know that we’re #1. People here have an average life expectancy of 81 years. In comparison, West Virginia ranks at the bottom of the U.S. life expectancy chart at 74 years.
For the seniors in the audience, the news is also good. Hawai`i ranks #1 for life expectancy if you’re already 65+ years old- with a life expectancy of 86. With the economic, geographic, and social pitfalls that we experience, a lot of items do work in our favor here- and these are generalities- including lifestyle, air quality, sunshine, flora, pristine coastlines, exercise, local diet choices (within reason), quality health care, strong community bonds, empathy, perspective on life, and optimism (according to a Huffington Post report from a few years back).
While you can quibble about the details of any of these pieces of the longevity puzzle, the realities of poor eating habits, redundant stress, harsh winters, pessimism, tribalism, rampant poverty, and any other proverbial ills you care to throw into the social bouillabaisse are simply not as predominant or applicable here as they are in other states.
Like ‘em or not, local government policies make a difference, as does our relative demeanor, attitude, acceptance levels, respect, culture oeuvre, and other intangibles that help to give us this longevity edge. These positive differences do not minimize problem areas that cry for attention nor resolve growing concerns about this state’s future, but we can humbly acknowledge the melting pot of humanity that’s evolved here, along with our differences. It’s what makes Hawai`i unique, and possibly a worthwhile petri dish that other locales might study in a quest to improve the quality (and length) of life in their states. East meets West meets Polynesia has proven to be a successful formula, with flaws, for those who care to make this isolated archipelago their home.
Think about it…