New York City has seen a significant drop in life expectancy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to health officials, the average life expectancy in New York City dropped by 4.6 years in 2020. This decline was particularly stark among Black New Yorkers.

New statistics released by the city show that life expectancy in New York City has plunged as a result of the pandemic. NBC New York reports that the decline is one of the largest in the city’s history, and is likely due to a combination of factors including the virus itself, economic stress, and disruptions to health care services.

The New York Times reports that the pandemic’s impact on life expectancy has been felt throughout the United States, with decreases also seen in other major cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago.

While life expectancy has been declining in New York City for several years due to factors such as the opioid epidemic and rising rates of obesity, the pandemic has accelerated this trend. The New York Daily News reports that the pandemic has cut average life expectancy by four years, affecting all demographic groups, but hitting Black New Yorkers the hardest.

Experts warn that the pandemic’s impact on life expectancy may continue to be felt for years to come, as the virus has exposed and exacerbated existing inequalities in health care access and economic opportunity.

City officials are calling for increased investment in public health measures and social programs to address these issues and reduce the impact of the pandemic on the city’s most vulnerable populations.