We are Living Longer — Life Expectancy in the US is a Record High 79 Years

It usually takes a year or so for government agencies to assess a huge volume of data. The life expectancy figures from the National Center for health Statistics are for 2024. And the 2024 figures say life expectancy in the U.S. is now 79 years.

That’s up from the COVID-19 low of 76.

Robert Anderson of the National Center said it is the highest we have ever gone. Declining deaths from heart disease, cancer and drug overdoses drove the rise.

In 2024 the 3.07 million deaths is 18,000 below 2023. Death rates fell for all racial and ethnic groups and for both men and women. Heart disease continues to be the top killer in the U.S. However, it dropped by 3% in 2024. Unintentional deaths like drug overdoses dropped the most at 14%.

"It's pretty much good news all the way around," Anderson said and pointed out that improved numbers are also expected for 2025.

Andrew Stokes is a researcher at Boston University. He said the bad news is the United States life expectancy is still below dozens of other countries.

Source link: CBS News — https://bit.ly/4aaMVwN