The New York City Department of Health released a report finding that from 2019 to 2020, life expectancy in New York City fell to 78 years — a staggering 4.6 year drop.

The mortality rate in 2020 was 241.3 deaths per 100,000 New Yorkers, according to the health department. A rise in unintentional drug overdoses also played a role in the 42.2% increase in deaths in 2020 over the year before.

The study also found that Black New Yorkers had the highest rate of drug-related deaths. New Yorkers between the ages of 55 and 64 were the age group most affected by the overdose deaths.

New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan spoke with WNYC's David Furst about what the health department’s 2020 “vital statistics report” means for New Yorkers.