This Just In!

Americans not dying in record numbers! Today the National Center for Health Statistics released preliminary numbers that indicate that annual deaths dropped by more than 50,000 in 2004, the largest decline in nearly 70 years. The report is based on 90% of all reported deaths and is consistent across the country, so the final report is not likely to change much. That's a 2% drop.

So, let's review. We have dire warnings that Americans are too fat and will die from it. We have strident warnings that the health care system is breaking down and we'll die from it. We have people in screaming hysterics over the aging baby-boomers stressing the system and we'll all die from it. We have advocates frothing at the mouth warning us about many, oh so very many, things the are going to kill us. Soon. Like right now.

And we're living longer than ever. 77.9 years is the life expectancy now.

Black Americans gained over half a year in life expectancy, closing the gap with whites - a really great statistic. There's still a disparity, but it is narrowing

Go read it.

UPDATE: Coverage from USA Today.