U.S. life expectancy declines by 0.1 year in 2015

U.S. life expectancy at birth fell by 0.1 year in 2015, to 78.8 years, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report revises 2014 life expectancy to 78.9 from 78.8, based on updated Medicare data. According to the report, the nation’s overall death rate increased by 1.2% in 2015, including a 1.6% increase for white females, 1% increase for white males and 0.9% increase for black males. Among the leading causes of death, rates increased for Alzheimer’s disease (15.7%), unintentional injuries (6.7%), stroke (3%), chronic lower respiratory diseases (2.7%), suicide (2.3%), diabetes (1.9%), kidney disease (1.5%) and heart disease (0.9%).