US life expectancy has risen to nearly 78.5 years in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The latest data suggests that death rates have fallen for all leading causes, including COVID-19, heart disease, and drug overdoses. However, experts warn that improvements are slowing down.
The decline in COVID-19 deaths is particularly notable, with nearly 3 million fewer deaths reported compared to the previous year. Heart disease still remains the top cause of death, but its rate has dropped by about 3% in 2023. The decrease in overdose deaths is also promising, with a reported 105,000 fatalities.
However, experts caution that life expectancy has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. Research suggests that the country is on track for even fewer deaths this year, but the exact figure may vary once more death certificates are submitted.
Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, a University of Minnesota researcher, notes that while there is continued improvement in death rates, it’s slowing down. She warns that life expectancy has not yet returned to a level worse than before the pandemic.
The CDC’s Robert Anderson says that life expectancy for 2024 may rise but likely won’t be significant. He attributes this to the country’s efforts to combat COVID-19 and other health issues.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/us-life-expectancy-deaths-be061f9f14c883178eea6dddc9550e60