New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley announced Monday that life expectancy for New Yorkers born in 2007 has increased to an average of 79.4 years.
This represents a gain of nearly 5 months since 2006, and the longest average life expectancy ever recorded in New York City.
Life expectancy has shot up by a year and 7 months since 2001, exceeding national gains, and has now reached 82 years for women and 76.3 years for men.
The mayor and commissioner made the announcement as the Health Department published new findings in its Annual Summary of Vital Statistics.
Besides charting an increase in life expectancy for 2007, the report provides detailed statistics on births and deaths in 2008. The overall death rate remained at an historic low and deaths from many preventable causes declined.
"The steady, continued increase in life expectancy demonstrates the remarkable progress we have made and the need to continue to press forward with bold health policies," said the
mayor. "The report shows too many New Yorkers still die from preventable causes and reveals persistent inequalities that show we must maintain our commitment to improving the health of all New Yorkers. "
"New Yorkers can combat the leading causes of premature death by quitting smoking, being more active,maintaining heart-healthy diets, controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol, using condoms to prevent the spread of HIV, and living free of alcohol and drug dependence," said Farley.
The citywide death rate was 6.5 deaths per 1,000 people in 2008 nearly 20 percent lower than the national death rate of 8.1 per 1,000 in 2006, the most recent year on record, according to the report.
Influenza and pneumonia remained leading causes of death in 2008, but vaccination can help prevent both. The Health Department reminded New Yorkers that this year's flu season is not over. Influenza vaccine is available through pharmacies and local clinics, as well as doctors' offices.