U.S. life expectancy has reached its highest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2023, life expectancy at birth was recorded at 78.4 years, up from 77.5 years the previous year. This increase of nearly a full year is notable, particularly compared to typical annual changes, which usually do not exceed a few tenths of a year, explains Ken Kochanek—a researcher at the National Center for Health Statistics and a co-author of the report.

Between 2019 and 2021, life expectancy in the United States declined from 78.8 years to 76.4, largely due to the pandemic. A recent report reveals that COVID-19, which ranked fourth in causes of death in 2022, fell to the 10th leading cause in 2023. Last year saw over 76,000 COVID-19-related deaths, a substantial decrease from more than 350,000 in 2020. Overall, the death rate for the U.S. population dropped by 6 percent in 2023, as analyzed from death certificates across all states and Washington, D.C.

Despite the decrease in COVID-related deaths, Kochanek said that the virus continues to pose a threat, noting that future trends remain uncertain. In addition to COVID-19, the CDC report outlined the top causes of death in America: heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases. While death rates fell for nine of the top 10 causes last year, cancer rates saw minimal change.

OVERDOSE DECLINE.

A separate CDC study showed a decline in drug overdose deaths for the first time since 2018, with the rate dropping to about 31.3 per 100,000 people. A significant decrease in opioid-related overdoses supported this trend. However, overdose deaths involving cocaine and methamphetamines saw an uptick.

Disparities in death rate declines were noted among racial and ethnic groups, with minority populations such as black, Asian, and Hispanic people experiencing more significant decreases compared to white people. Substantial reductions were observed among Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native populations—particularly among men.

Kochanek expressed optimism about the upward trend in life expectancy, hoping it will persist.

Image by Mike Jones.

The post U.S. Life Expectancy Surges to Post-Pandemic High. appeared first on The National Pulse.