Agoura Hills Ranks 15th in L.A. County Longevity Study

Agoura Hills ranks 15th among Los Angeles County communities in terms of residents' longevity, according to an Office of Health Assessment and Epidemiology study released last month.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health report found that Agoura Hills residents had a life expectancy of about 83.4 years on average. Communities with longer life expectancies include Walnut (86.6 years), Beverly Hills (85.6), Rowland Heights (85.3), East San Gabriel (85.0) and Arcadia (84.7). 

''Life Expectancy in Los Angeles County: How long do we live and why?'' examined life expectancy at birth in 102 cities and communities in the county, and highlighted the relationship between how long people live and the social and economic circumstances within their communities. The report found that overall life expectancy was increasing and had reached an all-time high of 80.3 years in L.A. County.

"Average life expectancy is one of the most fundamental measures of the
health of a population and community," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director
of the Department of Public Health and the county's top health official. "We are pleased to see that there have been substantial gains over the last couple of decades."

Neighborhoods with the lowest life expectancy were found to have the highest levels of economic hardship. A lack of safe parks and fewer grocery stores in such areas were among the contributing factors, Fielding said. Communities with the lowest resident longevity include Westmont (72.4), Willowbrook (75.6), Lancaster (76.0), Florence-Graham (76.7), Inglewood (77.0) and Lynwood (77.7). 

"There is a strong and consistent relationship between a person's health and what social and economic resources are available to that person," said Fielding. "People living in impoverished neighborhoods may have less opportunity to obtain a good education and be fully employed, have less social support, and have less opportunity to participate in activities that promote health. These things affect how long a person lives."

The report offered several recommendations for promoting community health while making local planning and land use decisions. Fielding suggested increased public access to safe places where residents can walk, bike, play and exercise, as well as maximized availability and affordability of healthful foods through grocery stores and farmers markets.

For Assistant City Manager Nathan Hamburger, the study was an accurate reflection of Agoura Hills. 

"I would hope and assume that it is related to the quality of life here that exists," he said. "And that people move here and stay here over long periods of time due to the fact that this great community has so many assets that make it unique and create a sense of belonging and ultimately promote a healthy lifestyle."