NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas A. Farley today announced that life expectancy for New Yorkers born in 2007 has increased to an average of 79.4 years – 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.

“Helping people live longer, better lives is the core responsibility of government, which is why nearly every initiative we take on is focused on that goal,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “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. 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.”

The Annual Summary of Vital Statistics, available online at nyc.gov/health , also highlights gains in key health goals outlined in the City’s Take Care New York (TCNY) health policy. New Yorkers made progress in six of the seven TCNY priority areas where vital statistics can reflect progress. These include HIV, cancer, depression, drug abuse and risky alcohol use. Additionally, the infant mortality rate remained close to its historical low in 2008, and the teen pregnancy rate declined by 3.4 percent.

“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 Commissioner Farley. “We will continue to work with communities and health care providers to make New York the healthiest city we can.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)