Why is the Decline in Women’s Life Expectancy, When Medical Knowledge Has Never Been Better, Not a Global Crisis?

First published: 13/08/2024

By Grace Carter

In an age where medical advancements seem to defy the boundaries of what’s possible, it's shocking and disheartening to witness the decline in women’s life expectancy in the United States, reaching its lowest point since 2006. Even more alarming is the fact that more women than ever are dying from preventable causes — conditions that could be treated or entirely avoided with proper healthcare. This begs the question: Why is this not a global crisis? Why is the world not rallying in outrage and action to address this dire situation?

A new report from The Commonwealth Fund has thrown a harsh spotlight on the deteriorating state of women’s health and reproductive care in the U.S. It reveals a sobering reality: women’s health is in a “perilous place,” with widening disparities in access to quality care. From skyrocketing maternal mortality rates to preventable deaths from breast and cervical cancer, the data paints a grim picture. Yet, despite these alarming statistics, the response has been disturbingly muted.

To understand the gravity of the situation, consider this: Women in the United States are now more likely to die from causes that could have been prevented with timely and adequate medical intervention. This is not a problem confined to a single region or demographic. It’s a nationwide epidemic, with the starkest impacts felt in southern states like Mississippi, Texas, and Oklahoma, where healthcare systems are failing to meet even the most basic needs of women.

"Women in the United States are now more likely to die from causes that could have been prevented with timely and adequate medical intervention. This is not a problem confined to a single region or demographic."

The report also highlights a troubling trend — the growing gap in life expectancy between women living in different states. In states like Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island, where healthcare access and quality are relatively high, women are faring much better. In contrast, the situation in southeastern states is dire, with West Virginia reporting an all-cause mortality rate for women of reproductive age at 203.6 per 100,000. This is nearly three times the rate in Hawaii, the state with the lowest mortality rate.

The disparities in maternal mortality are even more egregious. The Mississippi Delta region, encompassing Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, has the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation. These deaths are often preventable, yet women in these states are dying at rates that should be unacceptable in any developed nation.

So why isn’t this decline in women’s health outcomes sparking a global outcry?

One reason could be the complex interplay of political, social, and economic factors that obscure the urgency of the crisis. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has not only restricted access to abortion, but has also cast a shadow over contraception and in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Women in many states are now forced to navigate a labyrinth of legal and logistical barriers to obtain the care they need. The fallout from this decision is reflected in the declining life expectancy and rising mortality rates among women, yet the response from global health organisations and governments has been tepid at best.

Another factor contributing to the muted response is the uneven impact of the crisis. While women in affluent states with robust healthcare systems are relatively shielded from the worst outcomes, those in poorer, rural, and southern states are bearing the brunt of the decline. This uneven distribution of suffering makes it easy for those in positions of power to turn a blind eye, perpetuating a cycle of neglect and inaction.

Moreover, the erosion of women’s health in the U.S. is part of a broader trend of disenfranchisement. State-level policies post-pandemic have left millions of low-income women without health insurance or with significant gaps in coverage. The healthcare providers who serve these women are struggling to keep their doors open, further exacerbating the crisis. In many ways, this is a silent epidemic, one that is quietly devastating the lives of women across the country without the attention or resources needed to reverse it.

"In many ways, this is a silent epidemic, one that is quietly devastating the lives of women across the country without the attention or resources needed to reverse it."

Yet, despite these grim realities, there is hope. Advocacy and grassroots movements are gaining momentum, with more women and allies demanding better healthcare policies and access to comprehensive care. But this alone is not enough. To truly address the crisis, we need a global awakening — a recognition that the decline in women’s life expectancy in the United States is not just a national tragedy but a global one.

Women’s health should be a priority for all nations, not just for moral reasons but because the health of women is inextricably linked to the health of societies. When women thrive, so do their families, communities, and economies. The world cannot afford to ignore the plight of women in the United States any longer.

It’s time for international organisations, governments, and the global community to take action. We must demand accountability, advocate for policy changes, and provide the necessary resources to ensure that all women, regardless of where they live, have access to the healthcare they deserve. The declining life expectancy of women in the United States is a crisis of epic proportions, and it’s time the world started treating it as such.

Grace Carter is a journalist and women's rights advocate, focusing on healthcare disparities and social justice.