U.S. life expectancy numbers are on the decline as mortality rates are going up.
The country has experienced a higher number of deaths per 100,000 people due to complications from influenza, as well as accidental drug overdoses. There were 733.1 deaths per 100,000 people in 2015, compared to 724.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2014.
Part of the reason why this is happening is because the flu season has been especially rough in recent years. This illness has exacerbated existing conditions such as hear problems or other medical maladies that could put you over the edge if you get very sick.
Additionally, this country is facing a drug epidemic that has claimed the lives of many young people, as well as older people who accidentally overdosed. In addition to these tragedies, there are those who are dying accidentally from the toxicity of other substances.
It is unclear whether these statistics paint the picture of a new pattern that will continue to drive death rates up or if it is a one-year fluke. The last time that death rates in the U.S. were higher than the previous year was in 2005 when compared to 2004.
Heart disease-related deaths grew by about 19,000 from 2014 to 2015, while drug overdoses that led to deaths grew by about 5,000 from one year to the other. Mortality rates in young people and infants are also on the rise due to unintentional injuries, including suffocation in bed.
