Life expectancy in the United States was the highest ever in 2004, continuing the trend shown in recent years. In 2004, life expectancy at birth in the United States reached a new high of 77.8 years, up from 77.5 in 2003.

Life expectancy at birth increased for both men (to 75.2 from 74.8) and women (to 80.4 from 80.1). Similarly, it increased for African American men (to 69.5 from 69.0) and for African American women (to 76.3 from 76.1).

Life expectancy at age 65 increased for men to 17.1 additional years (total of 82.1 years) from 16.8 (81.3 years) and for women to 20.0 (85.0 years) from 19.8 (84.8 years). Life expectancy at age 65 also increased for Black men to 15.2 (total of 80.1 years) from 14.9 (79.9) and for Black women to 18.6 (83.6 years) from 18.5 (83.5 years).

Overall, death rates for the total U.S. population dropped in 2004. The national age-adjusted death rate decreased 3.8% from 832.7 deaths per 100,000 population in 2003 to 801.0 deaths per 100,000 in 2004. There were declines in mortality among all reported racial, ethnic, and gender groups. The largest decrease was among Hispanic males (6.1%) and Hispanic females (6.3%).

The nation’s leading causes of death for persons 65 and over were: heart disease (31.2% of all deaths of persons 65+ in 2003), cancer (21.6%), stroke (7.7%), chronic lower respiratory disease (6.0%), Alzheimer's Disease (3.5%), Influenza and Pneumonia (3.2%), and Diabetes (3.0%).

On the not-so-good side: Analyses of recent mortality rates suggest that while mortality for most of the leading causes of death among older persons is declining, there are several areas where it may be increasing. Recent years have seen increased mortality from essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease as well as unintentional falls.

If you are like most people, you probably think the Sun causes cancer.  And why shouldn’t you?  Recent news coverage has demonized the Sun… sending many running from it like Vampires at dawn. The truth is: overexposure to the Sun can cause problems.  But here’s what you probably don’t know – underexposure can be dangerous to your health.  Here’s why:  A new study looking at the relationship between vitamin D serum levels and the risk of colon and breast cancer across the globe has estimated the number of cases of cancer that could be prevented each year if vitamin D3 levels met the target proposed by researchers.

Cedric F. Garland, DrPH, cancer prevention specialist at the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and colleagues estimate that 250,000 cases of colorectal cancer and 350,000 cases of breast cancer could be prevented worldwide by increasing intake of vitamin D3, particularly in countries north of the equator. Vitamin D3 is available through diet, supplements and exposure of the skin to sunlight. “For the first time, we are saying that 600,000 cases of breast and colorectal cancer could be prevented each year worldwide, including nearly 150,000 in the United States alone,” said study co-author Garland. The paper, which looks at the dose-response relationship between vitamin D and cancer, will be published in the August edition of the journal Nutrition Reviews. The study combined data from surveys of serum vitamin D levels during winter from 15 countries. It is the first such study to look at satellite measurements of sunshine and cloud cover in countries where actual blood serum levels of vitamin D3 had also been determined. The data was then applied to 177 countries to estimate the average serum level of a vitamin D metabolite of people living there.  The data revealed an inverse association of serum vitamin D with risk of colorectal and breast cancer. The protective effect began at levels ranging from 24 to 32 nanograms per milliliter of 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration in the serum.

The 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is the main indicator of vitamin D status. The late winter average 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the U.S. is about 15-18 ng/ml. The researchers maintain that increasing vitamin D levels in populations, particularly those in northern climates, has the potential to both prevent and possibly serve as an adjunct to existing treatments for cancer.  “This could be best achieved with a combination of diet, supplements and short intervals – 10 or 15 minutes a day – in the sun,” said Garland. It could be less for very fair-skinned individuals. He went on to say that “the appropriate dose of vitamin D in order to reach this level could be very little in a lifeguard in Southern California… or quite a lot for someone in Northern Europe who tends to remain indoors most of the year.” The serum level recommended by the study would correspond to intake of 2000 International Units per day of vitamin D3 for a meaningful reduction in colorectal cancer. The researchers recommend 2000 IU/day, plus, when weather allows, a few minutes in the Sun with at least 40% of the skin exposed, for a meaningful reduction in breast cancer incidence, unless the individual has a history of skin cancer or a photosensitivity disease. Garland also recommends moderate Sun exposure and use of clothing and a hat when in the Sun longer than 15 minutes.