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News
Americans with autism live nearly 14 fewer years than the general population, a major study finds. Using two decades of Medicaid data, researchers found life expectancy for autistic beneficiaries was just 64.9 years — on par with some of the world's poorest nations. Experts say much of this excess mortality is preventable with better primary care and social support.
A large cross-sectional study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a striking gap: Americans with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) enrolled in Medicaid live an average of just 64.9 years — nearly 14 years less than the US general population and 5.6 years less than other Medicaid recipients. Researchers at Columbia University analyzed data from over 2 million Medicaid beneficiaries with ASD across all 50 states from 2000 to 2020.
The disparity was especially pronounced for women with ASD, who lived 16 years fewer than women in the general population. While life expectancy for autistic Medicaid recipients did tick up by 1.7 years between 2000–2004 and 2015–2019, the gap persisted — and widened again in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: The leading causes of excess death — influenza, malnutrition, pneumonia, and accidents — are largely preventable. Researchers say targeted improvements in primary care, social support, and community-based services could meaningfully close this gap and save lives.
