The life expectancy for Chicagoans has risen to a level higher than was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, but disparities remain, according to a report released this week by the city’s Department of Public Health. [Health News Illinois]
Life expectancy in Chicago rose to 77.2 years in 2022, just 1.6 years below the 2019 level.
However, the life expectancy for Black Chicagoans was 69.8 years, about 11.4 years less than non-Black city residents. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, as well as homicide and opioid overdoses remain the primary factors driving the gap.
Life expectancy is lower in several south and west sides communities. For residents of the West Garfield Park neighborhood, it's 62 years.
"The recent data has prompted us to reflect on how to best direct our resources and tailor our efforts to make progress toward closing this gap,” CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo ‘Simbo’ Ige said in a statement. “We will align CDPH’s priorities and programs to address the primary factors driving the widening racial life expectancy gap in the most impacted communities."
The life expectancy among the Latinx population was 81.4 years in 2022, while Asian and Pacific Islander Chicagoans lived on average 85.5 years. The life expectancy for white city residents was 80.3 years.
The strategic plan lays out seven action steps to address the contributing factors to the life expectancy gap for Black Chicagoans, with a specific focus on addressing outcomes in five Chicago neighborhoods on the south and west sides where lower life expectancy is concentrated. That includes supporting programs that address social determinants that lead to chronic conditions.
The report calls for shifting focus away from white health outcomes as the standard or goal and instead focusing on “reaching health equity for all people”
"Our focus is on improving the health and well-being of all Chicagoans, through effective collaboration and data-driven strategies,” Ige said. “CDPH is committed to prioritizing the health of communities most affected by declining life expectancy."
The agency will allow public review and input on the plan into early next year.
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