Life expectancy in U.S. reaches all time high at 77.9 years

Yes, Americans are living longer. The new average life expectancy rate in the U.S. has reached 77.9 years (2007 figures) up from 77.7 years in the prior year, according to statistics released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both men and women gained, but women still live at least an average of five years longer (80 years) than men (75 years), according to the Reuters report. For the first time, Black males reached an average of 70 years. Over the last ten years, life expectancy has increased 1.4 years from 76.5 years in 1997 to 77.9 in 2007." The death rate per 100,000 also dropped. Heart disease and cancer accounted for 48.5 percent of all deaths in 2007. Deaths from lower respiratory illnesses, including emphysema, increased 1.7 percent. But some progress was made for other diseases. Mortality rates declined slightly for influenza and pneumonia, murder and accidents. It's surprising that the richest nation in the world does not have the highest life expectancy. In Japan, Singapore, France, Sweden, Italy, Australia and Canada, the average lifeexpectancy rates are higher.