PubHawk
March 2005 PMID 15784668

A potential decline in life expectancy in the United States in the 21st century.

S Jay Olshansky, Douglas J Passaro, Ronald C Hershow, Jennifer Layden, Bruce A Carnes, Jacob Brody, Leonard Hayflick, Robert N Butler, David B Allison, David S Ludwig

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Mentions

163
Peak: 2 in Jun 2019
across 6 sources since Aug 2017

Extended reach

453,041
potential audience

Total likes

12,807

Video views

387,330

Mentions per month

Aug 2017 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News104 articles
  • Facebook21 posts
  • Blogs18 articles
  • X / Twitter16 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The consensus shows a significant concern over rising obesity and its role in potentially decreasing life expectancy, with posts like 'Epidemic proportions of #obesity suggests that the steady rise in life expectancy... may soon end' highlighting health trends. The tone varies from alarmed to critical, as seen in discussions questioning the validity of certain assumptions and referencing scientific studies, demonstrating both engagement and recognition of societal impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the potential for declining life expectancy due to factors like obesity, suggesting some level of concern or recognition of the research's validity.

InterestHigh interest

Participants are highly engaged with the topic, referencing multiple studies, publishing opinions, and sharing interpretations.

EngagementModerate engagement

There is a moderate level of reflection and debate, with some posts critically analyzing the research, discussing implications, or questioning assumptions.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations reflect an awareness of the broader societal and health implications, indicating a recognition that this issue could influence public health policies or societal perceptions.

Abstract in brief

  • The text discusses how forecasts of life expectancy are crucial for shaping public policies like Social Security and Medicare.
  • While recent estimates suggest Americans will live longer in the 21st century, rising obesity rates cast doubt on these predictions.
  • The analysis indicates that the ongoing increase in life expectancy might soon stop or decline due to the impact of obesity on longevity.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
noted
@n0ted · X

A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century | NEJM https://t.co/IN9VupPr0N

Jun 30, 2019 · 23 likes · 2 shares · 37,292 followers View post →
Yaroslav Bulatov
@yaroslavvb · X

@metaphdor Worst case scenario: in a couple of years we are sending 10x more PR's, shiping 10x more features, producing 10x more reports while simultaneously summarizing them 10x faster on the other end, while tangible metrics like lifespan are going down https://t.co/wemDETCZcH

Jul 4, 2025 · 2 likes · 7,704 followers View post →
Elias Jend
@EliJend · X

@MaxCRoser Epidemic proportions of #obesity suggests that the steady rise in life expectancy during the past two centuries may soon come to an end https://t.co/7ZFRz8XKTn https://t.co/c8176Q18o1

May 16, 2021 · 2 likes · 155 followers View post →
Dr. Suneil Jain NMD
@DrSuneilJain · X

“US life expectancy increased for most of the past 60 years, but the rate of increase slowed over time and life expectancy decreased after 2014.” https://t.co/M45eNWAz10 https://t.co/QsPkDHjI0X https://t.co/zDdofw8TzS https://t.co/FOLZvqSzUw

Jan 2, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share · 13,279 followers View post →
Philly Special
@USAPatPhilly · X

@bdomenech ran across this a while ago good read ! A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century | NEJM https://t.co/JeWOtvNQ7f

Apr 10, 2023 · 1 like · 1,339 followers View post →
DaRocDok.com®
@DaRocDok · X

Aging as we know it is a lie https://t.co/1LtMKO5trD via @YouTube

Feb 28, 2021 · 1,518 followers View post →

All mentions

Yaroslav Bulatov
@yaroslavvb · X

@metaphdor Worst case scenario: in a couple of years we are sending 10x more PR's, shiping 10x more features, producing 10x more reports while simultaneously summarizing them 10x faster on the other end, while tangible metrics like lifespan are going down https://t.co/wemDETCZcH

Jul 4, 2025 · 2 likes · 7,704 followers View post →
La Ana Paola
@la_anapaola · X

Y seguirá México. ¡Triste! A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century | New England Journal of Medicine https://t.co/py663xBAyA

May 15, 2024 · 1,009 followers View post →
Animalrightist
@animalrightist · X

I don't know where some people got the idea Ellsworth Wareham was a vegan (https://t.co/KdZnxptLur), but this myth is widespread.

Apr 17, 2023 · 71 followers View post →
Philly Special
@USAPatPhilly · X

@bdomenech ran across this a while ago good read ! A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century | NEJM https://t.co/JeWOtvNQ7f

Apr 10, 2023 · 1 like · 1,339 followers View post →
Carrie K
@Cjk857 · X

RT @DrSuneilJain: “US life expectancy increased for most of the past 60 years, but the rate of increase slowed over time and life expectanc…

Jan 2, 2023 · 1 share · 534 followers View post →
Dr. Suneil Jain NMD
@DrSuneilJain · X

“US life expectancy increased for most of the past 60 years, but the rate of increase slowed over time and life expectancy decreased after 2014.” https://t.co/M45eNWAz10 https://t.co/QsPkDHjI0X https://t.co/zDdofw8TzS https://t.co/FOLZvqSzUw

Jan 2, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share · 13,279 followers View post →
Elias Jend
@EliJend · X

@MaxCRoser Epidemic proportions of #obesity suggests that the steady rise in life expectancy during the past two centuries may soon come to an end https://t.co/7ZFRz8XKTn https://t.co/c8176Q18o1

May 16, 2021 · 2 likes · 155 followers View post →
DaRocDok.com®
@DaRocDok · X

Aging as we know it is a lie https://t.co/1LtMKO5trD via @YouTube

Apr 24, 2021 · 1,518 followers View post →
DaRocDok.com®
@DaRocDok · X

Aging as we know it is a lie https://t.co/1LtMKO5trD via @YouTube

Feb 28, 2021 · 1,518 followers View post →
Kat
@LilacMirr0r · X

@odhinnhrafn @andorkab @NPR they base it on 3 studies out of which one is irrelevant. we know sugar is bad, no need to discuss it. i invite you to watch this https://t.co/Dy7CSigaQF

Jun 13, 2020 · 258 followers View post →
Chris
@butisitvegan333 · X

Aging as we know it is a lie https://t.co/aqliomGSe4 via @YouTube

May 9, 2020 · 599 followers View post →
Andrew Doyle-Echeverria
@DoyleEcheverria · X

@Duckyaarse @Cranky_Tanky @whimsipop @phreeck Fontaine KR, Redden DT, Wang C, et al. Years of life lost due to obesity. JAMA 2003;289:187-193. Olshansky SJ, Passaro DJ, Hershow RC, et al. A potential decline in life expectancy in the United States in the 21st century. N Engl J Med 2005;352:1128-1145.

Aug 8, 2019 · 93 followers View post →
Rafael Studart❄️
@RafisKLosC · X

RT @fpsnoted: A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century | NEJM https://t.co/IN9VupPr0N

Jul 1, 2019 · 2 shares · 147 followers View post →
Fase
@jnr_potter · X

RT @fpsnoted: A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century | NEJM https://t.co/IN9VupPr0N

Jul 1, 2019 · 2 shares · 67 followers View post →
noted
@n0ted · X

A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century | NEJM https://t.co/IN9VupPr0N

Jun 30, 2019 · 23 likes · 2 shares · 37,292 followers View post →
David Demoise
@DavidDemoise · X

Aging as we know it is a lie https://t.co/1Ct7ewaX9y

Jun 12, 2019 · 112 followers View post →