US Lifespan Doubles to 79 Years From 35-40 Since 1776 as Public Health Cuts Early Deaths
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 29
US Lifespan Doubles to 79 Years From 35-40 Since 1776 as Public Health Cuts Early Deaths
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 29
Summary
CDC data puts U.S. life expectancy at about 79 years, roughly double the 35-40 years historians estimate for Americans in 1776.
Reduced infant, childhood and maternal deaths drove much of that gain, as sanitation, clean water, better nutrition, vaccines, antibiotics and safer childbirth sharply lowered infectious-disease mortality.
Life expectancy climbed to about 49 years by 1900 and 68 by 1950, then kept rising through 2014 as treatment and prevention improved for heart disease, stroke, cancer and traumatic injuries.
The trend has not been uninterrupted: COVID-19 cut U.S. life expectancy by more than two years from 2019 to 2021, and overdose, suicide and alcohol-related deaths also dragged it down.
Even after rebounding, U.S. longevity still trails other high-income countries, with obesity, chronic disease, substance use and rising cancers in younger adults shaping the next challenge—healthier longer lives.