For your right to be curious.

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

Build a transformational philanthropy program for this trusted NPR affiliate.
Seeking a 100% major gift fundraiser passionate about public media to develop relationships with people who support an informed and civil central Illinois.
Hire will have community visibility, many prospects, and professional resources.
Interviews in progress, open until filled. Apply now.

Are you availabile to be a local fill-in anchor on Morning Edition and/or All Things Considered?
Must be available with notice either weekdays from 5:30 to 9 a.m. and/or 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Apply by June 5, 5 p.m.

Life expectancy and suicide

WAMU 88.5 | By AC Valdez

Published November 30, 2023 at 8:19 AM CST

Exterior of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) headquarters is seen in Atlanta, Georgia.

How long can an average American expect to live? Recent trends in the U.S. have caused concern since the start of the pandemic. Now, we have new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the CDC,life expectancy rose in 2022. That’s the first gain since the pandemic. An average American can expect to live 77.5 years, up 1.1 years from 2021. But the suicide rate is climbing.

We talk about the new life expectancy data and discuss what it means, post-pandemic.

AC Valdez