IMPROVING means nothing. Absolutley nothing. county by age would be meaninful.
This is a nothing article and a nothing statistic.
I agree. It is easier to show improvement in areas with formerly high mortality. Similarly, areas where premature mortality is low would be more apt to have increases. I’ve hear that called “regression to the mean.” Life expectancy by county would be far more interesting and more relevant.
That said, you must notice the correlation between this map and (say) election maps. Similarly, areas with high concentrations of illegal immigrants (Texas border, areas of California, south Fla) are faring well in terms of the change. There is a story there, but I don’t think it is the one they are telling.
Statistical interactions are hard to explain to technical people. It will be impossible to explain to the masses unless we first teach math and statistics.