U.S. Life Expectancy Up Nearly 11 Months to 78.4 Years as COVID-19, Fentanyl Deaths Fall

Dec 19, 2024, 03:51 PM

U.S. life expectancy has increased significantly in 2023, rising by nearly 11 months to 78.4 years—the highest level since before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this improvement is mostly due to far fewer COVID-19 deaths and a decrease in drug overdose fatalities, including a decline in fentanyl overdoses nationally. Opioid overdose deaths peaked around August 2023, with approximately 90,000 deaths in the 12 months to July, a reduction of around one-sixth compared to previous periods. Over 108,000 overdose deaths were recorded in 2022 alone. Death rates declined across all racial and ethnic groups, and in both men and women. Preliminary data suggests there may be another, though much smaller, improvement this year.