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Life
expectancy and infant mortality are measures often used
to gauge the overall health of a population. Over the
past 50 years overall mortality has declined substantially
among Americans of all ages.
In 2000 life expectancy at birth for the total population
reached a record high of 76.9 years, based on preliminary
data. In 1999 life expectancy was 76.7 years.
During the 20th century life expectancy at birth increased
from 48 to 74 years for males and from 51 to 79 years
for females. Life expectancy at age 65 rose from 12
to 16 years for men and from 12 to 19 years for women.
In 2000 the infant mortality rate declined to a record
low of 6.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, based
on preliminary data. In 1999 the infant mortality rate
was 7.1 per 1,000.
Between 1950 and 1999 the infant mortality rate declined
by about 75 percent. Substantial declines occurred in
mortality during the first month of life (neonatal)
as well as after the first month of life (postneonatal).
Since 1950 mortality among children and young adults
(ages 1–24 years) has declined by more than one-half.
Overall mortality at ages 1–24 years has declined,
in part, due to decreases in death rates for unintentional
injuries, cancer, heart disease, and infectious diseases.
Homicide and suicide rates generally increased over
this period, but have declined since the mid-1990s.
(www.cdc.gov/nchs/)
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