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People with autism on Medicaid live nearly 14 fewer years than the general public — and much of that gap is preventable. A large cross-sectional study found their life expectancy at birth is just 64.9 years, with women facing an even steeper deficit. Researchers say improved primary care, vaccinations, nutrition support, and community services could make a real difference.
A major new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a stark health disparity: Medicaid beneficiaries with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a life expectancy of just 64.9 years — nearly 14 years shorter than the U.S. general population and 5.6 years shorter than other Medicaid enrollees. Researchers at Columbia University analyzed data from over 2 million people with ASD across all 50 states from 2000 to 2020.
The gap was even wider for women. Autistic women on Medicaid lived 16 years less than women in the general population, compared to an 11.6-year gap for men — largely because women typically outlive men by about 5 years. The COVID-19 pandemic hit this population especially hard, cutting life expectancy by 4.1 years in 2020 alone, nearly twice the impact seen in the general population.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Much of this excess mortality is preventable. Top causes include influenza, malnutrition, pneumonitis, accidental drowning, and sepsis — all addressable through targeted primary care interventions like annual flu vaccines, nutrition screening, and safety planning. PCPs are on the front lines of closing this gap.
