U.S. Life Expectancy Hits Record 78 Years

U.S. life expectancy was higher than ever in 2007, a new report says. A baby born that year could expect to live to age 78. The estimate assumes that current mortality trends continue. It’s about three months more than for babies born in 2006, the Associated Press said. The new data come from the National Center for Health Statistics. Life expectancy rose because of lower death rates for major diseases. Rates for heart disease, cancer, HIV and diabetes all dropped. But the United States still has lower life expectancy than 30 other countries. Japan’s is the highest — 83 years.