New Report Says Life Expectancy Down In Wisconsin

Image source: Midwest Communicatoins
Image source: Midwest Communicatoins

MADISON, WI (WSAU-WAOW) -- According to a new report the life expectancy of people living in Wisconsin has dropped for two years in a row.

The Wisconsin Policy Forum released a report today which says that Wisconsin's problems with alcohol and opioid deaths have caused the state to mirror nationwide life expectancy trends.

According to the report drugs and alcohol deaths have tripled in the state since 1999  and the drug death rate has quadrupled.

The life expectancy for a baby born in Wisconsin between 2015 and 2017 is 80 years, down from 80.2 years.

Tom King

Tom grew up in Wausau listening to sports on WSAU and music on our sister stations WRIG and WIFC and decided early on that that was where he wanted to be. After graduating from Wausau East in the mid 70's Tom headed to UWSP. He worked at the college radio station WWSP and weekends on WIFC while earning a degree in Communication.

After college he worked a year at WKAU radio in the Fox Valley before returning to Wausau and moving into radio sales. He missed the on-air work and returned to the air when WOFM went on the air and when it was purchased by Midwest Communications was asked to take on the sports position on WSAU. He has spent the last 13 years as part of the WSAU morning team while also broadcasting Wausau East sports and contributing to the morning show on WIFC.

If you listen to the show you know that Tom is the coach of the Wausau American Legion Baseball team. He's married (Sandy) with two sons (Wade & Cory) and spends his spare time reading, listening to music, watching movies and tv shows and following most of the major sports.