We Really are Living Longer

You may have seen recent  news reports about the drop in fatal automobile accidents in Nebraska to the lowest level since 1944.   Other causes of death, including homicide,  have dropped too.  The latest mortality report from the National Center for Health Statistics,  Deaths, Preliminary Data for 2010   provides a wealth of information about what we are dying of and how long we live.  Life expectancy increased from 78.6 in 2009 to 78.7 in 2010.   Interestingly, Hispanics live the longest (83.8 years for females, 78.8 for males).   The CDC/NCHS site is a wonderful source of informaton that even has a for librarians  section.  The leading causes of death are Diseases of the heart Malignant neoplasms Chronic lower respiratory diseases Cerebrovascular diseases Accidents (unintentional injuries) Alzheimer’s disease Diabetes mellitus Looking at this list reminds me that although death comes to all of us, lifestyle can affect the length and quality of life.   I’m planning to eat more fish, exercise more, and buckle up every time I get into the car.