3 Reasons New Yorkers Live Longer

1 min

According to the New York City Department of Health, a New Yorker born in 2004 can expect to live 78.6 years, nine months longer than the average American. Add this to the fact that the life expectancy of New Yorkers is lengthening faster than that of other Americans, and it’s worth taking a look at some reasons why:

1. Less smoking. The city’s wide-ranging smoking ban of 2003 is estimated to have decreased deaths attributable to smoking by 10 percent.
2. Healthier food options. New York (like other large cities) attracts a critical mass of people who demand fresh, organic or otherwise superior food choices. There are also a large number of farmer’s markets to increase access to locally grown produce and sustainably raised animal protein.
3. Walking. Perhaps most importantly, New Yorkers walk far more than do most suburban Americans, or even residents of other large cities (perhaps due to the fact that New York’s high-density urban amenities make walking uniquely viable for shopping, commuting and other daily tasks). They also tend to walk faster.

The good news is you don’t have to move to New York to avail yourself of these advantages. Anyone, anywhere, can decide to stop smoking, walk more and seek out healthy whole foods. The number of farmers’ markets has doubled in the last decade, and demand on grocery stores has increased their offerings making fresh produce more available everywhere. It is also likely that replicating these three advantages in your personal environment could provide additional advantages beyond New Yorkers due to less exposure to pollution and the stress of big city living.

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