- US life expectancy is not rising much.
- Researchers studied death records.
- They looked at many age groups.
- Some younger people die more often.
- Drug overdoses are one cause.
- Suicide and alcohol also rose.
- Heart disease improvements slowed down.
- Experts say many problems overlap.
Difficult words
- life expectancy — average number of years people live
- researcher — person who studies facts and dataResearchers
- overdose — taking too much of a drugoverdoses
- suicide — someone ending their own life on purpose
- heart disease — illness of the heart and blood vessels
- overlap — to happen at the same time or place
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you heard the term "life expectancy" before?
- Do you know someone who works as a researcher?
- Do you try to keep your heart healthy?
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