U.S. Life Expectancy in 2022

SOURCE npr.org
Life expectancy in the U.S. increased in 2022 to 77.5 years, following a decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 deaths decreased by 55.3%, but drug overdoses continued to rise. Heart disease and cancer remain the leading causes of death, with infant mortality also increasing in 2022.

Key Points

  • Life expectancy rose from 76.4 years in 2021 to 77.5 years in 2022.
  • COVID-19 deaths decreased in 2022, but drug overdoses continued to rise.
  • Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death, with infant mortality also increasing.

Pros

  • Life expectancy increased in the U.S. to 77.5 years in 2022.
  • COVID-19 deaths decreased by 55.3% compared to 2021.
  • Leading causes of death are heart disease and cancer.

Cons

  • Life expectancy in the U.S. remains below its peak in 2014.
  • Fatal overdoses, particularly driven by fentanyl, continued to rise in 2022.
  • Infant mortality increased by 3.1% in the U.S. in 2022.