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New Yorkers’ Life Expectancy Increased to Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic High of 82.6 Years in 2023, New Health Department Report Shows

Mayor Adams, New York City Health Department Launched Ambitious HealthyNYC Plan to Increase Life Expectancy to 83 Years by 2030

HealthyNYC Data Show 89.8 Percent Drop in COVID-19 Deaths Since 2021, Driving the Increase in Life Expectancy among New Yorkers

June 18, 2025 — Today, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) released data showing that in 2023, life expectancy at birth for New Yorkers returned to its pre-COVID-19 pandemic high of 82.6 years. Between 2021 and 2023, the data show reductions in deaths from COVID-19 (down 89.8 percent), heart- and diabetes-related diseases (down 4.7 percent), screenable cancers (down 4.6 percent), and homicides (down 20.3 percent). However, the data show increases in overdose deaths in 2023 compared to 2021 (up 12.7 percent over this time period, despite more recent decreases) and suicide (up 1.7 percent).

Launched in 2023, the Adams administration’s HealthyNYC campaign aims to extend the average life expectancy of all New Yorkers to record lengths. The campaign has set ambitious and measurable targets to reduce the impacts of leading causes of premature death, risk factors, and excess deaths, including chronic and diet-related diseases, screenable cancers, overdoses, suicide, maternal mortality, violence, and COVID-19. Overall, the plan aims to increase New Yorkers’ average life expectancy to at least 83 years by 2030.

“New Yorkers deserve to live safe, healthy, and long lives,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “During the pandemic, life expectancy in New York City dropped sharply to just 78 years in 2020, and when our administration came into office, we were determined to do something about it. Through our signature program, HealthyNYC, we’re already seeing progress. A longer lifespan means more time with friends, family, and loved ones, and this work is critical to making New York City the best place to raise a family.”

“Overall, these numbers are encouraging and we will continue to drive forward our HealthyNYC goals,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Suzanne Miles-Gustave. “There is more to do to support New Yorkers across all these categories especially opioid issues and mental health. Ultimately, every New Yorker deserves a long, healthy life and we will do our part as a city to make that goal a reality.”

“New York City’s life expectancy increased to 82.6 years in 2023, returning to a pre-COVID pandemic high in 2019. This is a huge milestone and a testament to what happens when you invest in public health,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “While this is exciting news, it is also a call to action. Citywide racial inequities persist, and centuries of structural racism have led to Black New Yorkers having the shortest life expectancy of all groups, even in 2023. Racial equity must remain central to our efforts for a healthier New York City.”

Findings in 2023

  • Following an all-time high of 82.6 years in 2019, life expectancy at birth fell dramatically in 2020 but has been rebounding since 2021. As of 2023, it has returned to 82.6 years.
  • Life expectancy continues to show significant inequities by race and ethnicity.
  • Deaths from COVID-19 are down by 89.8 percent since 2021, surpassing the HealthyNYC goal of a 60 percent reduction by 2030.
  • Deaths from heart- and diabetes-related diseases are down 4.7 percent in 2023 as compared to 2021.
  • Deaths from screenable cancers declined 4.6 percent between 2021 and 2023.
  • From 2021 to 2023, homicide deaths decreased by 20.3 percent.
  • Overdose deaths increased by 12.7 percent between 2021 and 2023. Much of this increase occurred between 2021 and 2022
  • Suicide deaths increased by 1.7 percent during 2023 compared to 2021

“This encouraging increase in life expectancy shows what’s possible when we invest in public health and focus on equity,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the City Council’s Health Committee. “As prime sponsor of the legislation that made HealthyNYC a permanent part of our city’s public health strategy, I’m proud to see this initiative driving real progress. We still have work to do—especially to end persistent racial and neighborhood health gaps—but this data proves we are on the right track to building a healthier New York City for everyone.”

How NYC Is Increasing Longevity

HealthyNYC is supported by Local Law 0093-2024, which ensures that HealthyNYC is a permanent feature of civic planning in New York City, with the HealthyNYC life expectancy agenda required to be reported on and updated every five years. The Adams administration recently celebrated passage of the legislation.

DOHMH has strategically placed Neighborhood Health Action Centers in the parts of the city that have experienced the greatest disinvestment and most disparate health outcomes, such as the highest rate of premature mortality. DOHMH partners with community-based organizations to:

  • Provide public health and social services
  • Coordinate community events
  • Build community collaboration
  • Conduct research and evaluation to improve health

The DOHMH’s neighborhood health services include:

  • Workshops and trainings, such as naloxone education and distribution
  • Maternal and family health services, such as childbirth education and crib and car seat distribution
  • Seasonal events, such as farmers markets and tax preparation services

Earlier this year, the DOHMH released its chronic disease report, which lays out a series of proposals for how to lower heart- and diabetes-related deaths as well as screenable cancers—especially in communities with the highest burden of disease. This strategy encompasses improving access to care, meeting basic needs, promoting healthy living, and combatting the damaging commercial influences that can worsen New Yorkers’ health.

DOHMH protects and promotes the health of 8.5 million New Yorkers. With more than 220 years of leadership in public health, the agency’s work ranges from inspection grades of dining establishments to supporting low- to no-cost community health clinics. DOHMH also works behind the scenes with disease detectives, investigating suspicious clusters of illness as well as studying the patterns, causes and effects of health and disease conditions in New York City neighborhoods, which shape policy decisions and the city's health agenda.

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MEDIA CONTACT: PressOffice@health.nyc.gov