CDC Releases 30th Annual Report on U.S. Health

CDC on Thursday released "Health, United States, 2006," the 30th annual report on the health of the nation, the Atlanta Journal- Constitution reports. According to the report, which the HHS secretary submits to the president and Congress annually:

• The overall health of nation continues to improve;
  
  
• Life expectancy in 2004 reached a record 77.9 years -- 80 years for women and 75 years for men;
  
  
• The infant mortality rate in 2004 decreased to 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births from 6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2003;
  
  
• The mortality rate from heart disease decreased by 16% between 2000 and 2004, and the mortality rate from cancer decreased by 8%;
  
  
• The number of individuals with high cholesterol has decreased because of an increased use of medications;
  
  
• The prevalence of chronic diseases has increased;
  
  
• About 20% of adults older than age 65 said they experienced pain within the past month that lasted more than 24 hours, and almost three-fifths of those adults said the pain lasted at least one year.
  
  
• About one-fourth of adults older than age 65 said they experienced back pain within the past three months, and 15% said they experienced migraines or other severe headaches within that time.
  
  
• About 11% of adults ages 40 to 59 and 23% of those ages 60 and older have diabetes;
  
  
• More children and adults are obese (White, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 11/16).