Home / Health / US Life Expectancy Hits Record High Amid Falling Death Rates
US Life Expectancy Hits Record High Amid Falling Death Rates
29 Jan
Summary
- US life expectancy reached a historic high of 79 years in 2024.
- Death rates from top killers like heart disease and cancer declined.
- Drug overdose deaths saw a significant drop of over 14%.
US life expectancy climbed to a historic 79 years in 2024, marking the highest level in the nation's history. This achievement reflects a significant turnaround from the COVID-19 pandemic's impact.
Falling death rates across the board, including from heart disease and cancer, contributed to the rise. Preliminary statistics also indicate a continued positive trend for 2025.
A substantial decrease of over 14% in deaths from unintentional injuries, largely driven by a decline in drug overdoses, was a key factor. COVID-19, once a leading cause of death, has now fallen out of the top ten.
Despite this progress, the US still lags behind many other countries in life expectancy, signaling that further public health efforts are necessary.
