Friday's Data Snapshot features the CDC's report this week finding that estimated life expectancy at birth in the U.S. rose in 2009 to an all-time high of 78.2 years, up from 78 in 2008. Female life expectancy rose to 80.6 years; the life expectancy for men rose slightly to 75.7.
Other interesting findings: the CDC reported that "significant decreases" in mortality occurred for children under one year of age, who saw their mortality rates drop 4.2 percent. Children aged 1-4 saw mortality drop 7.7 percent. Mortality rates for young adults between the ages of 15-24 fell 6.7 percent, and Americans between the ages of 75 and 84, who registered a 4.9 percent drop in mortality.
The report also found that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., followed by cancer, respiratory diseases, strokes and accidents.
