Life Expectancy
Title: U.S. Life Expectancy Rises to Record Level
Source: Associated Press / Fox News
Date: Monday, Feb. 28, 2005
Level: Intermediate
[Excerpt]
Declines in death rates from most major causes — including heart disease and cancer — have pushed Americans’ life expectancy to a record 77.6 years. Women are still living longer than men, but the gap is narrowing.
Women now have a life expectancy of 80.1 years, 5.3 more than men. That’s down from 5.4 years in 2002 and continues a steady decline from a peak difference of 7.8 years in 1979, the National Center for Health Statistics said Monday in its annual mortality report.
Women now have a life expectancy of 80.1 years, 5.3 more than men. That’s down from 5.4 years in 2002 and continues a steady decline from a peak difference of 7.8 years in 1979, the National Center for Health Statistics said Monday in its annual mortality report.
Research indicates there also is an increase in active life expectancy, said Mary A. Salmon, a sociology professor at the University of North Carolina.
“It’s not that we’re having a lot of very old, sick people,” she said in a telephone interview.
She added, “There has been lots of speculation on how this will affect Social Security, of course.”
This is an excerpt. For full article, click here
Vocabulary
Try to guess what these words mean from reading the article.
If you need help, check out OneLook Dictionary Search
New words you will see in this article:
| baby boomer(s) chronic crisis decline(s) expectancy flu gap hypertension kidney |
mortality peak pneumonia respiratory sociology speculation statistic(ally) suicide |
Talking Points
With your tutor, conversation partners, or classmates, you may wish to discuss the following:
1. What is the life expectancy rate in your country? For men / women?
2. As people live longer, what difficulties do they face?
3. What challenges must society face when dealing with a growing elderly population?
4. Who has the primary responsibility to care for senior citizens?
5. Who will take care of your parents (or grandparents) when they can no longer care for themselves?
For Additional Practice
Pretend you are over 80 years old. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living alone (in contrast to living with your children or in a nursing home).e
