US life expectancy tops 78 as top diseases decline

[Guest guest]

http://news./s/ap/20080611/ap_on_he_me/med_life_expectancy_1

ATLANTA - For the first time, U.S. life expectancy has surpassed 78

years, the government reported Wednesday. The increase is due mainly

to falling mortality rates in almost all the leading causes of death,

federal health officials said. The average life expectancy for babies

born in 2006 was about four months greater than for children born in 2005.

However, the United States continues to lag behind about 30 other

countries in estimated life span, according to World Health

Organization data.

Japan is No. 1 on the list, with a life expectancy of 83 for children

born in 2006. Switzerland and Australia were also near the top of the

list.

....