A new report from legislative staff in Richmond has revealed a stark reality: where you live in Virginia could mean a difference of 25 years in life expectancy. The Health Metrics Annual Report, presented Wednesday to the Joint Commission on Health Care, is the first of its kind and highlights widening health disparities across the Commonwealth.

“In short, the metrics in the past 5 years shows the average life expectancy has decreased since 2017 and there are several factors that influence this,” said analyst Khadeejat Lawal, who authored the report. COVID-19 claimed more than 23,000 lives between 2020 and 2023, while drug overdoses surged during that time before falling slightly below pre-pandemic levels.

The data shows that localities already struggling with shorter lifespans were hit hardest. “For localities with the lowest life expectancy in 2022, average life expectancy declined more than twice the rate it did for the higher ranked localities this period,” Lawal said.

Lawmakers are now grappling with how to use the findings. Delegate Robert Orrock (R–Caroline) said the state should learn from districts where lifespans have increased. “When we start mining into ‘here are the successes,’ [like] Lexington, what are they doing out there that increased life expectancy by four years? That, I think, will give us the most data so we can start crafting public policy around.”

Other delegates pointed to chronic health conditions. Delegate Keith Hodges (R–Urbana) cited a rise in diabetes diagnoses, partly due to lowered screening age guidelines. Lawal noted hypertension was also on the rise. (RELATED: Freitas Highlights Call For Prayer in the Wake of Charlie Kirk Murder)

Democratic Delegate Cia Price urged colleagues to look beyond medical factors. “It’s not always biology that some of these things are happening,” she said, pointing to environmental and political influences. “Petersburg did not just end up at 64.3 years. Maybe Manassas Park doesn’t need the same things Petersburg needs and maybe it’s not a bad work to look at equity when making legislation.”

While no votes were taken, legislators signaled that the report will shape bills in the 2026 session, which begins in December. (RELATED: Virginia Is Running a Surplus, So Why Is the Gas Tax Still High?)