Reports find Americans’ life expectancy lowest in 26 years

The average lifespan for Americans has dropped to the lowest level in 26 years.

Life expectancy dropped to 76.4 years at birth, according to two new reports published by the CDC National Center for Health Statistics. That’s down from the age of 77 in 2020.

The declines in life-expectancy since 2019 are largely driven by COVID-19, unintentional injuries and drug overdoses. Heart disease was also another factor.

The CDC also found that death rates for almost every age group increased, although it was most prevalent among white men and women.

Death rates for Hispanic and Black men decreased.