Life expectancy in the U.S. improves to 78 but whites still live longer than blacks

Life expectancy in the U.S. improves to 78

Life expectancy in the United States hit 78 years for the first time since records began and continuing the general upward trend since World War II ended.

Americans born in 2009 were expected to live up to 78 years and 2 months on average according to the new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. The number of deaths in the country declined by 36,000 to 2.4 million in 2009.

Health experts attribute the longer life expectancy partially to advanced medical science, widespread vaccination and anti-smoking campaigns.

The CDC also revised its life expectancy report for 2008. It originally calculated it to have dropped to 77 years and 11 months, but upgraded the number to 78 after noting a computer error.

Infant mortality dipped to its lowest level ever of 6.42 deaths for every 1,000 live births. It was almost 3 percent lower than the 2008 rate.

However, the racial disparity widened. Whites are now expected to live four years longer than blacks. Unlike whites, life expectancy and infant mortality among blacks were largely unchanged.

Males are expected to live until 75.5 years while female Americans up to 80.5 years.

Among the top causes of death in the U.S., suicide has replaced blood infections to become the 10th most common cause. It last belonged to the top ten list back in 1999.

Heart disease, cancer and stroke were still among the leading causes of death, but the numbers have somewhat declined. Chronic conditions are expected to remain on the top of the list. The continued increase will be seen in life expectancy in the U.S.

Posted by George Daniels on Thursday March 17 2011, 4:54 AM EST. Ref: AP. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0