United States Life Tables, 2018.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
National cross-sectional demographic registry and vital statistics analysis (graded by design analogy)
What was done
The authors constructed complete period life tables for the United States for 2018 by Hispanic origin, race, and sex using age-specific death rates. Data sources comprised 2018 final mortality statistics, population estimates for July 1, 2018 (derived from the 2010 census), and 2018 Medicare records for individuals aged 66–99. The 2018 data reflect the full adoption across all 50 states and the District of Columbia of the revised 1997 Office of Management and Budget single-race standards, alongside bridged-race trends from 2006–2018.
What was found
Total life expectancy at birth in the United States was 78.7 years in 2018, an increase of 0.1 year from 78.6 in 2017. Life expectancy increased by 0.1 year for males (76.1 to 76.2) and females (81.1 to 81.2). Life expectancy at birth varied substantially across demographic groups: 81.8 years for the Hispanic population, 78.6 years for the non-Hispanic single-race white population, and 74.7 years for the non-Hispanic single-race black population.
Why it matters
This report establishes the official national baseline for US longevity in 2018 and documents the baseline shifts resulting from the nationwide transition to revised federal single-race classification standards.
Limits
Period life tables reflect hypothetical cohorts subject to cross-sectional mortality rates rather than true longitudinal survival. The change to 1997 single-race standards precludes direct historical comparability without bridge adjustments, and the abstract does not report specific causes of mortality or uncertainty intervals.
Cited by
- contradicts Life expectancy in the United States is approximately 78 years for men and 83 years for women.