U.S. life expectancy hits all-time high
3 months ago
- #mortality
- #public health
- #life expectancy
- U.S. life expectancy in 2024 rises to 79 years, a half-year increase from 2023 and the highest since 1900.
- Despite the increase, U.S. life expectancy remains lower than most other developed countries.
- COVID-19 and drug overdoses contributed to a significant drop in life expectancy to 76.4 years in 2021.
- Preliminary data shows 47,539 COVID-19 deaths and 87,000 drug overdose deaths between October 2023 and September 2024.
- Age-adjusted death rates decreased from 751 per 100,000 Americans in 2023 to 722 in 2024.
- Heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries remain the top causes of death, with suicide replacing COVID-19 as the 10th leading cause.
- Experts warn of stagnation in health improvements due to cardiometabolic risk factors like high blood pressure and obesity.
- U.S. infant mortality rates showed no improvement in 2024.
- Concerns persist about declining healthcare coverage and lack of support for public health.