Impact of Police and Social Spending on Black Americans’ Life Expectancy

A recent study conducted by Rutgers University reveals a concerning link between increased police spending and reduced life expectancy among Black Americans. The research highlights that higher police budgets are associated with more suicides and police-related fatalities within Black communities. Conversely, investing more in housing and community development appears to significantly lower these risks.

This investigation is among the first to examine how public expenditure on law enforcement correlates with mental health outcomes and police-related deaths among Black and white residents across the U.S. The findings suggest that each additional $100 allocated per capita to police services results in 35 years of life lost to suicide and 7 years due to police-related fatalities per 100,000 Black residents annually. These figures translate to thousands of lost years of life for the approximately 41 million Black Americans.

Interestingly, the study found no similar impact of police spending on the life expectancy of white residents. In contrast, increased expenditure on social programs, especially housing and community development, was linked to a reduction in deaths due to suicide among Black residents. Specifically, a $100 per capita increase in housing and community funding could cut years of potential life lost from suicide by 29 per 100,000 Black individuals.

The researchers emphasize that their findings should influence public policy debates about how government funds are allocated. They caution that expanding police presence—an approach often justified by the need for mental health crises response—may not yield the intended health benefits, particularly for Black communities. Instead, they advocate for reallocating resources toward social services and mental health alternatives, such as mental health practitioners leading crisis interventions.

This study underscores the importance of investing in supportive community infrastructure rather than solely increasing law enforcement budgets, as a means to address health disparities and reduce violence in marginalized communities. The full research is published in The Milbank Quarterly (2025).