U.S. Life Expectancy Hits Record High

Dec. 9, 2005 -- U.S. life expectancy has reached an all-time high, according to the CDC.

A baby born in 2003 has a life expectancy of 77.6 years, the CDC estimates. That's up from a life expectancy of 75.4 years for babies born in 1990.

The numbers appear in a new CDC report on American health.

The report also shows the continuation of two other positive trends:

• Fewer deaths from leading killers including heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
• Smoking is still declining (but not as quickly as in the past).

Still, the CDC sees room for improvement, especially when it comes to weight, high blood pressure, and other potential health hazards.

Living Longer

Newborn babies aren't the only ones with greater life expectancy. Today's adults are also living longer than previous generations.

"In 2003, American men could expect to live three years longer, and women more than one year longer, than they did in 1990," the CDC states.

The ranks of American elders are growing. As the "baby boom" generation ages, people age 55-64 will be the nation's fastest-growing age group for the next decade, the CDC predicts.

Fewer Deaths From Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke

Here's a look at the drop in 2003 deaths from leading killers:

• Heart disease deaths: down nearly 4%.
• Cancer deaths: down more than 2%.
• Stroke deaths: down almost 5%.
• Deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases: down nearly 5% from its peak in 1999.
• Deaths from unintentional injuries: down more than 2%.

Infant mortality in 2003 was 6.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. That's similar to the rate for 2002, which had increased for the first time in more than 40 years.

More Work Ahead

Despite those gains, America's report card for health isn't completely upbeat.

"Half of Americans aged 55-64 years have high blood pressure -- a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke -- and two in five are obese," states a CDC news release.

The take-home message: Make your health a priority, no matter how old you are.

"It's never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle to enjoy a longer, healthier life," says CDC director Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH, in the news release.