CDC report reveals life expectancy down in MD, local health experts weigh in

MARYLAND – Life expectancy dropped in Maryland to 78.6 years, that’s according to the CDC.

That’s based on 2020 data from the Maryland Department of Health.

The findings also highlight many racial disparities in access to care.

We spoke with TidalHealth Peninsula who says locally hospital visits for conditions like hypertension are 2 times greater for African Americans than their white counterparts.

We’re told social determinants like education, housing, and income contribute to these health outcomes.

TidalHealth tells us their goal to tackle this is addressing health equity. “Those disparities we have to dig into the root of them and look at those social aspects and systemic aspects that are causing them,” Director of Community Health Initiatives Kat Rodgers said.

“So we’re really focused in on zip codes that have the greatest disparities and also have the greatest social needs.”

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional has current initiatives in place like its REACH program that looks to address many health disparities.

The data also showed that Somerset County had the third lowest life expectancy rate at 75.7 years.