"It's the result of not only the dissipation of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also waning death rates from all the nation's top killers, including heart disease, cancer and drug overdoses. What's more, preliminary statistics suggest a continued improvement in 2025. Life expectancy, a fundamental measure of a population's health, is an estimate of the average number of years a baby born in a given year might expect to live, given death rates at that time."
"For decades, U.S. life expectancy rose at least a little bit almost every year, thanks to medical advances and public health measures. It peaked in 2014, just shy of 79 years. It was relatively flat for several years before plunging as the COVID-19 pandemic killed more than 1.2 million Americans. In 2021, life expectancy fell to just under 76 1/2 years. It has been rebounding since."
"In 2024, about 3.07 million U.S. residents died, about 18,000 fewer than the year before. Death rates declined across all racial and ethnic groups, and in both men and women. Heart disease remained the nation's leading cause of death, but the death rate due to it dropped by about 3% for the second year in a row. A combination of factors are likely at play, including advances in medical treatments and weight management, said Dr. Sadiya Khan, who treats and studies heart disease at Northwestern University."
U.S. life expectancy reached 79 years in 2024, the highest on record. The rise reflects both the waning of the COVID-19 pandemic and falling death rates from major causes such as heart disease, cancer and drug overdoses. Preliminary data indicate continued improvement in 2025. Total deaths in 2024 were about 3.07 million, roughly 18,000 fewer than the prior year. Death rates declined across racial and ethnic groups and for both sexes. Heart disease remained the leading cause, but its mortality rate fell about 3% for a second consecutive year, likely aided by medical advances and weight management. The United States still ranks below many other countries, indicating further progress is needed.
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