New mortality data from the federal government suggests that life expectancy probably hit another record high in 2025, as death rates have continued to fall since the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Death Rates Decrease

There were about 689 deaths for every 100,000 people in the US in 2025, according to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — the lowest rate recorded in more than a century of tracking.

The age-adjusted rate has fallen 22% since 2021, landing about 4% lower than it was just before the pandemic in 2019. The top causes of death in the US in 2025 followed longstanding patterns: Heart disease led with nearly 695,000 deaths, followed by cancer with nearly 623,000 deaths.

Factors Contributing to Increased Life Expectancy

Unintentional injuries, which includes drug overdoses, were the third leading cause of death. Overdose deaths are still high — about 70,000 people died from an overdose in 2025, preliminary CDC data shows — but experts say that sharp declines probably played a large role in bringing the age-adjusted death rate down in the US.

Research shows that some of the best ways to help yourself live a long, healthy life involve more basic habits that help prevent some of the leading causes of death, such as staying active and eating a healthy diet.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.