According to newly released data, life expectancy at birth for Americans did not change between 2013 and 2014, remaining at 78.8 years. But such static figures belie trends in populations when examined by gender, race and origin.
The new study, released April 19 by the Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics, found the life expectancy for non-Hispanic white women dropped from 81.2 years to 81.1 years. White men’s average life span also declined slightly, but remained at listed 76.5 because of statistical rounding.
Life expectancy for blacks continued an upward trend, increasing to 75.6 years from 75.5. Black men had the biggest increase of studied groups, rising 0.4 years to 72.2. The average life span of Hispanics jumped from 81.6 years in 2013 to 81.8. Both Hispanic and black populations have gained a year of life expectancy since 2008.
Previous research found an increase in mortality for middle-aged whites in the U.S. Elizabeth Arias, PhD, who wrote the NCHS report, conducted additional research for specific causes of death, which were not mentioned in the study. She cited increases in suicide and “unintentional poisonings,” which mainly refers negative health outcomes related to alcohol and drug abuse.
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.