APPENDIX F — Demographic & Economic Reference Tables
A concise set of tables that provide the demographic and economic context behind the Life & Health system map.
These tables are intentionally simple and 6×9‑friendly. They give readers a sense of scale, direction, and proportion — the “background radiation” of the Life & Health ecosystem. Values are illustrative and rounded for clarity.
1. U.S. Age Distribution (Illustrative)
| Age Group | Share of Population |
|---|---|
| 0–17 | ~22% |
| 18–44 | ~36% |
| 45–64 | ~26% |
| 65+ | ~17% |
Why it matters: Age drives mortality, morbidity, disability, long‑term care needs, and Medicare enrollment.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program.
2. Population Aging Trend (Illustrative)
Share of population age 65+
| Year | % Age 65+ |
|---|---|
| 1980 | ~11% |
| 2000 | ~12% |
| 2020 | ~17% |
| 2040 (proj.) | ~22% |
Why it matters: The U.S. is aging rapidly, increasing demand for chronic care, long‑term care, and Medicare services.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Projections.
3. Life Expectancy at Birth (Illustrative)
| Year | Life Expectancy |
|---|---|
| 1980 | ~73 years |
| 2000 | ~77 years |
| 2019 | ~79 years |
| 2022 | ~76 years |
Why it matters: Small shifts in life expectancy have large implications for Social Security, Medicare, and private insurance.
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics.
4. Disability Incidence by Age (Illustrative)
| Age Range | % with a Disability |
|---|---|
| 18–44 | ~10% |
| 45–64 | ~20% |
| 65–74 | ~25% |
| 75+ | ~50% |
Why it matters: Disability risk rises sharply with age, influencing DI, LTC, and Medicare utilization.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
5. Long‑Term Care Utilization (Illustrative)
| Measure | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| % of people needing some LTC | ~70% |
| Average duration of care | 2–3 years |
| % of LTC paid by Medicaid | ~50%+ |
Why it matters: LTC is unpredictable, expensive, and heavily financed by Medicaid.
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, ASPE.
6. Medical Inflation vs. General Inflation (Illustrative)
| Period | Medical Inflation | General Inflation |
|---|---|---|
| 1980–2000 | ~6% avg. | ~3% avg. |
| 2000–2020 | ~3% avg. | ~2% avg. |
| 2020–2023 | Elevated | Elevated |
Why it matters: Medical inflation consistently outpaces general inflation, driving premiums and public spending.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (CPI‑U and Medical CPI).
7. Health Spending as % of GDP (Illustrative)
| Year | % of GDP |
|---|---|
| 1980 | ~9% |
| 2000 | ~13% |
| 2020 | ~19% |
| 2030 (proj.) | ~20%+ |
Why it matters: Health spending grows faster than the economy, shaping policy and affordability.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Health Expenditure Accounts.
8. Public vs. Private Spending Mix (Illustrative)
| Payer Type | Share of Total Spending |
|---|---|
| Private Insurance | ~30% |
| Medicare | ~22% |
| Medicaid | ~17% |
| Out‑of‑Pocket | ~10% |
| Other Public | ~21% |
Why it matters: Public programs now finance nearly half of all U.S. health spending, shifting incentives and regulatory power.
Source: CMS National Health Expenditure Accounts.
9. Employer Coverage Trend (Illustrative)
| Year | % with Employer Coverage |
|---|---|
| 2000 | ~67% |
| 2010 | ~55% |
| 2020 | ~55% |
Why it matters: Employer coverage remains central but is no longer dominant, influencing the individual market and Medicaid enrollment.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey.
10. Medicare & Medicaid Enrollment (Illustrative)
| Program | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| Medicare | ~65 million |
| Medicaid | ~90 million (including CHIP) |
Why it matters: These programs anchor the Life & Health ecosystem and shape market dynamics.
Source: CMS Enrollment Reports.
Closing Perspective
These tables provide the demographic and economic backdrop for the Life & Health system. Aging, disability, medical inflation, and shifting payer roles shape how products are designed, how care is delivered, and how money flows through the system. Understanding these patterns helps readers interpret the system map and anticipate future pressures.
