Washington Times (09.13.07) - Thursday, September 13, 2007
Average life expectancy for Americans has hit an all-time high
of almost 78 years, according to a new CDC report. From 2004
to 2005, life expectancy for blacks increased from 73.1 to
73.2; meanwhile, the figure for whites held steady at 78.3.
Deaths due to HIV/AIDS fell during the period from 13,063 to
12,456. The District of Columbia experienced the most deaths
per 100,000 people - 996. An analysis released last month by
the University of Washington's Institute of Health Metrics and
Evaluation found that the United States lags behind 41
countries in life expectancy. "Something's wrong here when one
of the richest countries in the world, the one that spends the
most on health care, is not able to keep up with other
countries," said Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the
institute.