New York City releases 2022 mortality data

Nov 25, 2024

Presented by Alliance to Protect Homecare

Beat Memo

Despite an increase in life expectancy, little progress was made in other health statuses tracked by the city, new 2022 data shows.

Life expectancy for New Yorkers is on the rise since a dramatic drop in 2020 amid the pandemic. From 2020 to 2022 the average life expectancy of city dwellers rose from 78 years old to more than 81 years old. The HealthyNYC initiative was unveiled roughly a year ago by NYC Mayor Eric Adams to extend New Yorkers' life expectancy to 83 years by 2030.

But little progress was made in other areas such as heart- and diabetes-related deaths, which has stayed level at about 21,000 per year (with a sharp rise in 2020). And racial disparities persist: Black New Yorkers were reported to have the highest rate of deaths related to heart disease and diabetes.

Deaths from screenable cancers saw a slight decline from 2021 to 2022, but that was not consistent among racial groups. Asian/Pacific Islanders, white men and Black non-Hispanic men saw slight upticks in deaths from screenable cancers in the same time frame.

Overdose deaths in the city continue to increase, tracking above the rate needed to meet the city’s goal of a 25 percent decline by 2030. Since 2019, the number of overdose deaths rose from 1,376 to 2,695. The city said it plans to meet its goal through increased access to naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, methadone, and harm reduction services.

Since 2015, suicides in the city have stayed mostly level, but from 2021 to 2022 that number saw a slight increase. The city said suicide rates are a significant concern among teenagers, the LGBTQ+ community and communities of color. White and Black New Yorkers saw the greatest increases in suicide rates from 2021 to 2022.

Homicide deaths showed more promising data. They are trending downwards after a sharp increase from 2019 to 2021.

A great disparity in city data was within maternal mortality rates. While overall rates from 2011 to 2021 stayed mostly level, Black women in New York are four times more likely to die from pregnancy than white women.

A message from Alliance to Protect Homecare:

WHAT IS HOCHUL THINKING? Governor Hochul's plan to hand New York’s home care system to PPL, an out-of-state corporation with a failing record, puts over 250,000 vulnerable New Yorkers at risk. PPL has a history of mismanagement, missed payments, customer dissatisfaction, lawsuits and even fraud in other states. Tell your Assemblymember to protect our loved ones and keep home care local: www.protecthomecare.org.

IN OTHER NEWS:

— New maternal health legislation signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday will provide Medicaid coverage for remote ultrasound scans and remote fetal non-stress tests. It will also expand the information given to prospective maternity patients about their chosen healthcare facility.

In a statement, Hochul called the two new laws “the next step in our efforts to fight maternal mortality and support New York families.”

ON THE AGENDA:

— Monday at 10 a.m. The City Council’s mental health committee hears three bills on youth mental health.

— Tuesday at 1 p.m. The Emergency Medical Services for Children Advisory Committee meets.

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ODDS AND ENDS

NOW WE KNOW — A mysterious chemical byproduct in our tap water supply has finally been identified.

TODAY’S TIP — Avoid a potential foodborne illness this Thanksgiving with these six pointers from state health and agriculture officials.

STUDY THIS — America’s alcohol-related mortality rate doubled between 1999 and 2020, according to new research.

A message from Alliance to Protect Homecare:

WHAT WE'RE READING

— Rand Paul plans to investigate Covid-19 origins from his new perch leading a key committee. (STAT)

— TV’s Dr. Oz invested in businesses regulated by the agency Trump wants him to lead. (KFF Health News)

— What’s behind the remarkable drop in U.S. overdose deaths. (The New York Times)

Don't just read headlines—guide your organization's next move. POLITICO Pro's comprehensive Data Analysis tracks power shifts in Congress, ballot measures, and committee turnovers, giving you the deep context behind every policy decision. Learn more about what POLITICO Pro can do for you.

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— Project 2025 author rejected for top health position, Megan Messerly and Adam Cancryn report.

MISSED A ROUNDUP? Get caught up on the New York Health Care newsletter.

A message from Alliance to Protect Homecare:

WHAT IS HOCHUL THINKING? Governor Hochul’s plan to turn over New York’s home care to PPL – an out-of-state, private equity-backed corporation – threatens over 250,000 vulnerable New Yorkers and thousands of local jobs. PPL’s record is filled with failures: in Pennsylvania, it cost taxpayers $7 million annually due to mismanagement; in New Jersey, it’s been accused of “egregious fiscal and operational failures” by disability rights groups; and in Colorado, it received the lowest customer satisfaction scores. With ongoing wage-theft lawsuits and instances of fraud across states, PPL has proven it can't be trusted with New York's care system. But there’s a solution: New York’s Assembly can step in to keep our home care system local, safe, and accountable. Tell your Assemblymember to protect New York families from PPL’s failures. Learn more and take action: www.protecthomecare.org.