U.S. life expectancy rises to new record in 2007
U.S. life expectancy rises to new record in 2007
Life expectancy in the United States reached a new high in 2007, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, the mortality rate fell for the eighth straight year.
Life expectancy reached 77.9 years in 2007. That represents an increase from 77.7 years in 2006 and 76.5 years in 1996.
The U.S. mortality rate dropped to a record low 760.3 deaths per 100,000 people. That is half of what it was 60 years ago. Declines were seen between 2006 and 2007 for several leading causes of death, including flu and pneumonia, heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.
