Life Expectancy Gap Widens for Black Bostonians

Report finds preventable deaths driving 9-year gap between Black and other residents

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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A new report from the Boston Public Health Commission has found that the life expectancy gap between Black residents and the rest of the city has doubled over the past decade, with Black men living about 9 years less than other men in Boston. The leading causes of premature death for Black residents are preventable, including drug overdoses, heart disease, and cancer. Systemic barriers in healthcare access and social determinants of health have contributed to these disparities, which are most pronounced in majority-Black, lower-income neighborhoods like Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan.

Why it matters

The widening life expectancy gap highlights deep-rooted inequities and systemic racism that have long plagued Boston's Black communities. Addressing these disparities is crucial for promoting health equity and ensuring all residents have the opportunity to live long, healthy lives.

The details

The report found that while life expectancy for the overall Boston population has risen from around 81 years in 2013 to 85 years today, Black residents have maintained a life expectancy of just 78 years over the same period. Black men have the lowest life expectancy of any group, living about 9.3 fewer years than other men in the city. The leading causes of premature death for Black residents are preventable, including drug overdoses, heart disease, and cancer. Systemic barriers in healthcare access and social determinants of health, such as lack of access to preventative screenings, have contributed to these disparities, which are most pronounced in majority-Black, lower-income neighborhoods.

  • The life expectancy gap has doubled since 2013.
  • The report analyzed data from 2022 to 2024.

The players

Boston Public Health Commission

The city agency that organized state mortality data and conducted the life expectancy analysis.

Dr. Bisola Ojikutu

Executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission.

Winston Bodrick

Executive director of the Roxbury YMCA and member of the Live Long and Well Advisory Council.

Dr. Christopher Lathan

Chief clinical access officer for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and member of the Live Long and Well Advisory Council.

Greg Davis

Founder and president of Metro Boston Alive, a former heroin and cocaine user who is now 41 years clean.

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What they’re saying

“It's always going to be different numbers for us, because the Black and Brown community is always overlooked.”

— Lovelee Harvey, Senior recovery coach at Metro Boston Alive (Boston Globe)

“That should concern everyone. Life expectancy is one of the most fundamental measures of how well the community is doing, so that was a real drawback for me.”

— Winston Bodrick, Executive director of the Roxbury YMCA (Boston Globe)

“Each time those feelings kicked up for me, I sedated myself, which I believe is what's going on with a lot of these folks who are still addicted.”

— Greg Davis, Founder and president of Metro Boston Alive (Boston Globe)

“You can't just stop your life and then focus on the cancer, which is what a lot of folks who have any means will do.”

— Dr. Christopher Lathan, Chief clinical access officer for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston Globe)

“We provide safe spaces for physical activity, youth development, community development, as well as preventative wellness programming. These moments may look small, but together, I think they shape lives.”

— Winston Bodrick, Executive director of the Roxbury YMCA (Boston Globe)

What’s next

The Boston Public Health Commission is expected to release a longer report with more detailed data on the life expectancy disparities in April.

The takeaway

Addressing the widening life expectancy gap for Black Bostonians will require a multi-pronged approach to tackle the systemic barriers and social determinants of health that have contributed to these persistent disparities. Investments in preventative care, community-based programs, and efforts to promote equity in healthcare access are crucial to ensuring all residents have the opportunity to live long, healthy lives.