United States life expectancy has increased slightly and mortality rates are down compared to 2007 numbers, while nursing homes are the third-most-used long-term care service, according to new data released this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
Life expectancy rose to 78.6 years in 2017 – up 0.5 years from 2007, reported the agency’s National Center for Health Statistics. In addition, the age-adjusted all-cause death rate was 6% lower for both men and women in 2017 compared to 2007.
Meanwhile, the report found that nursing home services were the third most-used long-term care services among adults aged 65 and older in 2015–2016. At 1.2 million residents, this number was 4% higher than in 2011–2012. Home health was the first most-used long-term care service, with 3.7 million users, and hospice was the second most-used with 1.3 million patients.
Other notable findings:
- In 2017, the leading causes of death for all ages were heart disease, cancer, accidents, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
- The age-adjusted prevalence of total diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes among adults aged 20 and over increased from 10.0% in 1999–2000 to 14.7% in 2015–2016.
- The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension among adults aged 20 and over was stable and for men and women from 1999–2000 to 2015–2016.
- Obesity among children, adolescents and adults increased from 1999-2000 to 2015-2016.
