Dec. 8, 1999
As we approach the end of the 20th century, scientists say one of the most
dramatic improvements we've seen in the last hundreds years is in our life
expectancy.
In today's Family Now report, News Specialist Ruth Todd explains why.
In 1899, the average American could expect to live only 47 years.
In 1999, our life expectancy could be well into our 70's.
But most of us want to prove even those numbers wrong and we are working to live longer than expected.
When Willard Brenning was born in 1909, statistics showed he would only live to be about 48-years-old.
Today, he's nearly doubled his life expectancy.
But he's not surprised he can still rake his own leaves and mow his lawn.
He credit his genes.
Willard Brenning: "Yeah, we've had some longevity. My dad was one of eight children and he's the only one who died at an early age."
A new study says most of us are like Willard - we expect to live longer.
It says men and African-Americans are most optimistic about their life-spans.
They expect to live three to six years more than statistics say they will.
Experts say it's partly because we are much healthier and we've seen breakthroughs in areas like medicine and public safety.
John Mirowsky/Sociology Professor: "People are getting healthier for a number of reasons, faster than anyone ever expected, a lot of public health things, clean water, safe cars, and roads and airbags and seat belts."
Researchers also credit drops in deaths from HIV, heart disease, cancer, stroke and homicide.
The biggest surprise in the study is that women actually thought that they
would live about a year less than official predictions.
Ironically, it's women who live the longest.
Women born in the United States today can expect to live to be about 79 years.
Men will live to just over 73 years.
