For the first time, since 1993 life expectancy in the U.S. has declined. Per new government research, life expectancy from birth is 78.8 years for the overall American. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported the 2015 rates of death increased for health disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unintentional injuries (drug-overdose, motor vehicle accidents and medical mistakes), stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease and suicide.
Largest increase was seen in Alzheimer’s disease. Cancer was the only major cause of death where improvement with deaths declined at 1.7% from 2014-2015. Experts describe obesity rates and the rising impact of drug overdoses and suicide as significant explanation for these changes.
The National Center for Health Statistics reported the increase in American White Women deaths – an increase since 2008. Analysts suggest the concerning cause of death are likely contributed to: opioid abuse, suicide, and chronic liver disease.