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NAFTA's Impact: Declining Life Expectancy for Men

3/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Chicago found that areas heavily affected by Mexican imports experienced a decline in life expectancy after NAFTA's 1994 implementation.
Specifically, 3% of 45-year-old men lost a year of life expectancy, with increased mortality from various causes.
The findings show significant costs of globalization, particularly for working-age men in the Southeast and Midwest.

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Story summary

A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Chicago found that areas heavily affected by Mexican imports experienced a decline in life expectancy after NAFTA's 1994 implementation.
Specifically, 3% of 45-year-old men lost a year of life expectancy, with increased mortality from various causes.
The findings show significant costs of globalization, particularly for working-age men in the Southeast and Midwest.