US Wealth and Innovation Drive Record Life Expectancy

Diane Katz / March 18, 2011

The Obama Administration attempts to justify its unprecedented torrent of regulation as necessary to protect Americans’ health and welfare. But new data on U.S. life expectancy certainly belie regulators’ seemingly incessant assertions that America is unfit for man and beast.

Life expectancy at birth increased to a whopping 78.2 years in 2009, up two-tenths of a year from 2008—and a mere 49.2 in 1900, according to the report issued on Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control. Women outlive men 80.6 years to 75.7, on average, although the gap has generally decreased since its peak of 7.8 years in 1979.

From a statistical standpoint, life expectancy represents fewer infant deaths and the increased longevity of seniors. Today, the average 65-year-old woman in the United States can expect to live an additional 20 years, and her male counterpart can look forward to another 17 years. (more…)