KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Where you live in Kansas City could determine how long you live.
For example, if you live in the 64132 zip code that means you could expect to not live as long as someone in the 64112 zip code, just a couple miles away.
"What we are seeing is a very stark difference between some of our highest life expectancy zip codes and our lowest," said Dr. Sarah Martin-Anderson, one of the Kansas City Health Department's deputy directors.
According to new data from the Kansas City Health Department, four zip codes in the city are seeing life expectancy go down.
Courtesy of Kansas City, Missouri Health Department
In order to improve life expectancy rates, the health department is looking at each zip code to identify the area's specific needs. In doing so, the department hosted its Life X 2 Summit last Friday. The event brought together city staff from different departments to examine and collaborate how to address these inequities.
"Every department in the city, no matter what we are talking about, has an impact on the quality of life of Kansas Citians," said Martin-Anderson. "We want them to see that as moving life expectancy."
According to Martin-Anderson, improving one's life expectancy is not just improving their physical health. Instead, it's improving economic development in the neighborhoods, attracting more people to the areas, building a greater sense of community and providing access to specific programs among other things.
For example, she said life expectancy rates have improved in the 64109 area code after the health department identified a need to improve infant mortality rates.
"There is no silver bullet for life expectancy there are a lot of different interventions," she said. "The single most important thing to come out of this conversation is how do we start talking about a return on investment not just in dollars but in years gained."
