According to the federal health officials the average life expectancy has almost reached 78 years in the United States. While stating this on Wednesday the officials said that women can expect to live to 80.4 years on average and men to 75.3 years from birth in 2007.

Whites in the US tend to have higher life-expectancies than blacks, about 4.6 years longer. The findings were based on a report from the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr William O'Neill, executive dean for clinical affairs at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, stated that "The evidence shows that there have been some improvements in the health of Americans over the last 20 years."

He also stated that a long life span would mean having unforeseen effects on the country, he said.

Report co-author Arialdi M. Minino, a statistician at the CDC's Center for Health Statistics, Division of Vital Statistics, added, “The risk of dying has dropped to a record low level whereas life expectancy has reached a record high."

According to the report, since 2000 the life expectancy has increased by 1.4 years. In 2007 life expectancy increased to 77 years and 11 months up from 77.7 years in 2006.

The five leading causes of death, accounting were cancer, heart disease, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke and accidents. People in southern states face higher death rates as compared to people staying elsewhere due to major geographical differences.