Who/where:

• Americans

What and when:

• are living a longer time = are getting older
• in just one year, the life span increased by 4 months
• in 1943 most Americans lived to age 63; in 2003 the age = almost 78
• women live longer than men (80 years), but the difference is smaller now (5 years)

How and why:

• fewer Americans (compared to the population) die now of heart disease, cancer, stroke, suicide, flu and AIDS; this may be one reason Americans live longer

Summary:

I read "Americans' Lives Getting Longer" in News for You of March 16, 2005.

People in the United States are living longer, and the change is happening quickly. In addition, the difference in life expectancy for women and men is decreasing; women only live about five years longer than men now. People may be living longer because the death rates for many major diseases are decreasing.

The average life expectancy of Americans is almost 78 years now. For women it is 80 years. In 1943, the average American lived to 63 years old.