Rix Quinn: Life expectancy

Is there any proven way to improve life expectancy?

Personally, I’d like to make it to 100. Each year I try to eliminate one bad habit, and now I have none. That’s depressing.

The average life expectancy in the U.S. today is 77.2 years. So, if you’re an average person who’s 77.1, schedule that annual physical real soon.

Here’ssomethingweird:the older you get, the longer you might live. If you’re 75 right now, you can expect to live 11.5 more years if you avoid high-risk behavior.

For instance, driving a big car is low risk. Trying to lift one is outrageously high risk. outlive men by five years? I told this to my wife, and she found it both comforting and amusing.

Why the longevity difference? I interviewed several women, who said, “ It’s because we’re smarter.” When I asked guys the same question, they said the dead men “were just looking for a way to get out of the house.”

Way back in 1900, the average life expectancy was only 47.3 years. Then folks decided that expiring before 50 was a stupid career move, so they started taking better care of themselves.

Last week I read about a lady over 100 who said a long life comes from “working hard, eating vegetables, and thinking clean thoughts.”

Thus far, I’ve followed 66% of that advice.