The CDC has observed the third consecutive year of decline in life expectancy, marking the longest decline since 1915-18, a time period that included both World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic, according to a report from CNBC.
Data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics indicates a person born in 2017 is expected to live to 78.6 years, compared to 78.7 years for a person born in 2016. While this decline may seem minor — it accounts for just over a month — the downward trend is notable, according to the report.
The CDC points to several potential factors, including an increase in drug overdoses, greater prevalence of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, and growing suicide rates, according to the report.
Read the full CNBC story here.
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