(June 12, 2008)—Americans are living longer, but not as long as residents in 30 other countries.
The government says Americans' life expectancy has surpassed 78 years, but the U.S. still lags behind 30 other countries in longevity.
Japan tops the list.
Children born there in 2006 are expected to live until they are 83.
The government says the increase in life span is because of falling mortality rates for most leading causes of death.
University of Pennsylvania demographer Samuel Preston says U.S. life expectancy may not look all that great when compared with other nations, but he says the increase could be a sign that the country might "be in the process of catching up."
Life expectancy is up for both men and women, and whites and blacks.
White women are expected to live to be 81.
They are followed by black women, white men and black men, who are expected to live to 70.
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