A new set of life expectancy maps released today illustrates that opportunities to lead a long and healthy life can vary dramatically based on where you live. For example, life expectancy differs by 20 years in the 5.5 miles it takes to drive between the Richmond, Va neighborhoods of Westover Hills and Gilpin and by 14 years between Chicago’s East Garfield Park and the Loop.

              

With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Center produced maps for Richmond, Va, Chicago, New York City, and Atlanta – adding to the earlier map produced for Las Vegas. The maps are the latest in a series developed to raise public awareness of the many factors that shape health, particularly social and economic factors. The dramatic health gaps the maps demonstrate can be used as a conversation starter to support the work of local officials and community organizations looking to address these factors in order to improve, maintain and reclaim their community’s health. These differences between neighborhoods rarely are due to a single cause.  A growing body of research shows that health is influenced by a complex web of factors. These factors include opportunities for education and jobs; safe and affordable housing; availability of nutritious food; and places for physical activity; clean air; and access to health care, child care, and social services.

The maps can be viewed at societyhealth.vcu.edu/maps, along with more detailed information on methods and additional data not included in the maps themselves.