Life Expectancy Drops Slightly

U.S. life expectancy dropped slightly in 2008, a new report says. It fell from 77.9 years in 2007 to 77.8. The National Center for Health Statistics released the new report December 9, the Associated Press (AP) said. The center also reported that stroke, for the first time in 50 years, is no longer the No. 3 cause of death in the United States. It’s now fourth, behind chronic (long-term) lung diseases. This category includes asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Heart disease and cancer remained the top 2. The death rate from stroke dropped 4%. The death rate from lung diseases increased 8%. AP said the increase is partly related to a change in definition. The lung disease category now is broader.