Average U.S. Life Expectancy Reaches 78.8 Years

Life expectancy at birth for the U.S. population reached a record high of 78.8 years in 2012, largely due to lower age-adjusted death rates for chronic illnesses, influenza and pneumonia, and lower overall infant mortality. Age-adjusted death rates for illness decreased significantly from 2011 to 2012. However, the increase in life expectancy and lower death rates due to illness were tempered by a 2.4% increase in the suicide rate between 2011 and 2012. Death rates remained the same for unintentional injuries.

The age-adjusted death rate for the United States decreased 1.1% from 2011 . . .