ATLANTA – Death rates in the United States are increasing and many Americans are not living as long as they once did, according to evidence announced by the Center For Disease Control and Prevention. Officials blame opioid overdoses and suicide as the prime factors.
There were more than 70,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2017, a record high, officials said. In addition, the national suicide rate jumped 3.7 percent.
However, the CDC said the mortality rates do not hold even across race and gender profiles.
Black men, Hispanic men and women saw no significant changes in their death rates over the last year and black women are living longer than ever before.
But death rates for white men and women increased last year. Mortality for white men jumped by .6 percent and .9 percent for white women.
The CDC notes that a person born in 2017 can expect to live to be 78.6 years old, a modest decrease by .1 percent.
There were more than 70,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2017, a record high, officials said. In addition, the national suicide rate jumped 3.7 percent.
However, the CDC said the mortality rates do not hold even across race and gender profiles.
Black men, Hispanic men and women saw no significant changes in their death rates over the last year and black women are living longer than ever before.
But death rates for white men and women increased last year. Mortality for white men jumped by .6 percent and .9 percent for white women.
The CDC notes that a person born in 2017 can expect to live to be 78.6 years old, a modest decrease by .1 percent.