Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2020 revealed that 0.8 percent of U.S. coupled households consisted of male same-sex pairings, while 0.9 percent were made up of female same-sex couples. Higher percentages of male and female same-sex couples were found in the West Coast, the Northeast, and Florida, with most counties in the top 10 lists having large populations. Notably, men and women in same-sex couples did not necessarily reside in the same regions of the country.
The areas with the highest number of male-male couple households included Los Angeles, California, New York, New York, Cook, Illinois, and San Francisco, California. On the other hand, counties with the largest number of female-female couples were Los Angeles, California, Maricopa, Arizona, Cook, Illinois, and Harris, Texas. The data also showed that different regions of the U.S. had varying concentrations of same-sex couples, reflecting diverse demographics and population densities.
In addition to same-sex couple statistics, Newsweek presented information on states’ life expectancies and overall health rankings. Hawaii was highlighted as having the highest life expectancy of 80.7 years, attributed to factors like a relatively low obesity rate. Conversely, Mississippi had the lowest life expectancy at 71.9 years, with a high obesity rate. When comparing overall health rankings, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, and Minnesota were ranked as the top five healthiest states, while Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama were identified as having the most room for improvement.
Dr. Ira Wilson, a professor of medicine at Brown University, explained that various factors such as social, economic, historical, and income-related factors contribute to health disparities and life expectancy differences among U.S. states. He emphasized the importance of understanding the broader context beyond just healthcare infrastructure in addressing health disparities. Wilson highlighted the role of social determinants of health in shaping outcomes and emphasized the need for a multifaceted approach to improving health outcomes across different states.
Overall, the data presented by the U.S. Census Bureau and Newsweek shed light on the demographics of same-sex couples across different regions of the country, as well as providing insights into state-level life expectancies and health rankings. The statistics underscore the importance of considering a range of factors, beyond just healthcare, in understanding health disparities and working towards improving health outcomes for all individuals. By addressing social, economic, and historical determinants, policymakers and healthcare professionals can work towards creating more equitable and healthier communities across the United States.
