![States Where People Live the Longest](http://townsquare.media/site/341/files/2021/02/GettyImages-643325030.jpg?w=980&q=75)
States Where People Live the Longest
The average life expectancy in the United States is 78.8 years, with women generally having a longer life expectancy than men. Most gaps in life expectancy can be explained by the risk factors that people engage in. The disparity between men and women, for example, is because women tend to engage in less risky behavior than men, and suffer fewer vehicular accidents.
People living in the Southern United States are more likely to be smokers, which is a leading cause of death. A 2016 American Cancer Society study found that cigarettes contribute to one in four cancer deaths in the country. Most of the 10 states with the highest attributable cancer deaths were located in the South, which explains why many of the states with the lowest life expectancies can also be found across the region.
READ ON: See the States Where People Live the Longest
More From ME TV FM 97.5
![Druid City Brewing, Local Artists Pressing Vinyl to Help Oz Music](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2021/02/IMG_4735.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Rover Lands on Mars with Helicopter Named by County High Student](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2021/02/Vaneeza-Rupani-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Free COVID-19 Testing Sunday In Tuscaloosa](http://townsquare.media/site/533/files/2021/02/RS43277_GettyImages-1220909490-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Hold On Alabama, Warmer Weather is On the Way](http://townsquare.media/site/534/files/2021/02/GettyImages-1258053605.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Could Alabama Have a Record-Breaking Tornado Season?](http://townsquare.media/site/530/files/2021/02/RS3849_135454119.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Flood Warning Issued for Greene, Hale and Marengo Counties](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2021/02/RS20169_GettyImages-469208221-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Take in the Flavors of Alabama on National Drink Wine Day](http://townsquare.media/site/534/files/2021/02/RS3481_000004157215.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Attention Tuscaloosa: Try This Ridiculously Easy Hack to De-Ice Your Windshield](http://townsquare.media/site/530/files/2021/02/RS40565_GettyImages-994826752-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lace-Up for the 2021 Tuscaloosa Heart Walk Digital Experience](http://townsquare.media/site/534/files/2021/02/RS14867_186366953.jpg?w=980&q=75)