Life expectancy for Americans born in 2021 was just 76.4 years, the lowest in a quarter-century, according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The life expectancy was down 0.6 years from 2020, and 2.4 years from 2019.
It has not been so low since 1996, when it was 76.1 years.
Males, continuing a past trend, born in 2021 had a lower life expectancy than females—73.5, compared with 79.3. Males’ life expectancy decreased slightly more than females, pushing the gap between the sexes to 5.8 years.
Nine of the top 10 leading causes of death in 2021 remained the same as in 2020. Influenza and pneumonia exited the top 10 in 2021, replaced by chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- COVID-19
- Unintentional injuries
- Stroke
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases
- Alzheimer disease
- Diabetes
- Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
- Kidney disease
Heart disease and cancer killed more people, according to the CDC.
Expectancy at Age 65
The United States has a growing population of elderly people. For Americans aged 65, the life expectancy in 2021 was 18.4 years, down 0.1 years from 2020.Death Rates
The rate of death stratified by age showed an increase among all groups, including a 10.1 percent jump among children aged 1 to 4, a 16.1 percent increase for people aged 35 to 44, and a 12.1 increase for people aged 45 to 54.The smallest increases were for elderly people aged 65 and older.
The infant mortality rate, meanwhile, did not change significantly from 2020. It ticked up slightly from 541.9 infant deaths per 100,000 live births to 543.6 infant deaths per 100,000 live births.
Death Rates by Ethnicity
Death rates increased for Hispanic females, American Indian or Alaska native males and females, black women, and white men and women. The highest increases were among American Indian or Alaska native females and white people.Drug Overdoses Soar
Drug overdose deaths soared in 2021 when compared to 2021, contributing to the jump in overall mortality and the lowered life expectancy.The age-adjusted rate was up 4.1 deaths per 100,000 population, reaching 32.4 per 100,000.
That’s up from 13.8 in 2013 and just 6.8 in 2001.
The rate of deaths was higher among all age groups 25 and older, with particularly large increases among middle-aged people. Among those aged 35 to 44—the group with the highest rate—for instance, the rate increased to 8.1 deaths per 100,000.
Increases were recorded in overdose deaths involving opioids and cocaine, while a decrease was logged for heroin overdose deaths.
