Life Expectancy In U.S. Now Tops 78 Years, Record High

Boston (dbTechno) - According to U.S. health researchers, life expectancy in the U.S. has now topped 78 years for the first time ever, thanks to the death rates dropping from 8 out of the 10 most common diseases which lead to death.

In 2006, 8 out of the 10 most deadly diseases saw declines compared to 2005, leading the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conclude that people in the U.S. are now living longer than ever.

A newborn baby born in 2006 is expected to live 78.1 years, up from 77.8 years in 2005.

Japan currently has the longest life expectancy with 83 years for a baby born in 2006.

Life expectancy increased for both men and women, as well as whites and blacks.

Women are expected to live closer to 81, with men at around 75.

The only negative about the report was the rise of Alzheimer’s, which killed 72,914 Americans in 2006. It beat out diabetes as the sixth-leading cause of death.

Overall 2.4 million Americans died in 2006, 22,117 less than in 2005.

Diseases which saw the biggest declines were for the flu, pnuemonia, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, suicide, cancer, and others.