(Circulation. 2001;104:e9037.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.
Circulation Newswriter
Life Expectancy in United States Reaches 76.9 Years
The life expectancy of US citizens has reached an all time high—76.9 years—according to information released October 9, 2001, by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. The agency also reported decreased death rates from murder, suicide, accidents, stroke, diabetes, chronic lower respiratory diseases, chronic liver disease, and AIDS for the year 2000.
As the population ages, however, more people are dying from diseases of old age. The CDC reported that deaths from Alzheimer’s disease, influenza, pneumonia, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and septicemia increased in the year 2000.
"Americans on average are living longer than ever before, and much of this is due to the progress we’ve made in fighting diseases that account for a majority of deaths in the country," said US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "But we can do even more by eating right, exercising regularly, and taking other simple steps to promote good health and prevent serious illness and disease."
In addition, the preliminary infant mortality rate in the United States fell to its lowest level ever in 2000—6.9 infant deaths per 1000 live births, down from a rate of 7.1 in 1999. The report can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/releases/01news/mort2k.htm.
Studies Indict Antibiotics in Feed
Three studies published in the October 18, 2001, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrate the presence of resistant strains of bacteria in various forms of ground meat and chicken and show that such bacteria can colonize, at least transiently, the intestinal tracts of
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  J. Arehart-Treichel Depression, Heart Attack Link Tracked to Autonomic Nervous System Psychiatr News, November 16, 2001; 36(22): 17 - 17. [Full Text]
|
|