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Level-Setting Your Life Expectancy

By Jeff Arnold, CEO and Chairman

Last week, the National Center for Health Statistics – a division of the CDC – released its annual report on life expectancy levels in the United States. Some findings were positive: life expectancy among black and Hispanic Americans increased; particularly among non-Hispanic black men thanks to fewer cancer-related deaths, homicide and heart disease.

Unfortunately, the data also revealed longevity among Americans in general remained stagnant for the first time in the history of this data collection, which began in 1900. Further, increases in suicide, drug overdose and alcoholism caused longevity to drop among non-Hispanic, white women.

Regardless of which demographic you fall into, this report is a good reminder to reflect on the things we do each day that positively – and negatively – impact our lifespans; things which Sharecare’s scientifically-validated health risk assessment, the RealAge test, takes into account. If you’re one of the 45 million people who’ve taken it, it might be time to update your answers to make sure you’re on the right track. And if you don’t know your RealAge, there’s no better time than now to put yourself on a healthier path.