American Life Expectancy May Continue RisingIn the next 40 years, average life expectancy for Americans could rise to 93 years for women and 86 years for men, according to a recent study reported by CNN.com. The latest reported average life expectancy figure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is 78, but that number was based on data ending in 2007. The CNN report also looks at estimated increases in care costs for the aging population—nearly $8 trillion by 2050. CNN chief health correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta also reports on global “blue zones,” where scientists are focusing efforts on determining why people there tend to be healthier as they grow older than Americans. On one island in Greece, for example, there is a remarkably low occurrence of dementia among seniors. Scientist s are focusing on diet and exercise habits there. Another “blue zone” includes Costa Rica, where there is a low rate of middle-age death and older people tend to stay active well into their advanced years. The United States is “just not build as a society that can handle more people over a certain age,” comments Gupta, who also refers to Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid expenses, and costs for long-term care associated with an aging population. See the CNN.com video, “Americans Living Longer.” View more ALFA Update articles!Feedback
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