Lifetime achievements

Published: July, 2006

Americans are staying healthier and living longer than ever before, although the United States lags behind other countries.

Life-expectancy figures are statistical crystal balls that predict the average number of years a person of a given age, sex, and race can be expected to live. Expected age at death is the pessimistic way to express the same idea. According to the latest figures, life expectancy in the United States is 77.6 years, up considerably from 75.4 in 1990, although still quite a way behind the Japanese, who (on average) reach their 80s.

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