U.S. Mortality Drops Sharply in 2006, Latest Data Show
New report shows that the average person lives to 78 years of age.
June 11, 2008— -- The information below was provided by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which published this summary of findings from its report on life expectancy.
To see press releases and fact sheets from prior years' reports, click here.
Click here for the full report.
Summary of Findings
Age-adjusted death rates in the United States declined significantly between 2005 and 2006 and life expectancy hit another record high, according to preliminary death statistics released today by CDC's National Center for Health Statistics.
The 2006 age-adjusted death rate fell to 776.4 deaths per 100,000 population from 799 deaths per 100,000 in 2005. In addition, death rates for 8 of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States all dropped significantly in 2006, including a very sharp drop in mortality from influenza and pneumonia.
Other findings in the report:
