According to national records, Cruz Hernandez was born on May 3, 1878, in one of the central provinces of El Salvador, where she gave birth to 13 children. She now has 60 grandchildren, 80 great-grandchildren and 25 great-great grandchildren. On Wednesday she celebrated her 128th birthday, a milestone that might make her the world's oldest person. (REUTERS)

December 09, 2005

A new study shows that although life expectancy is steadily rising each year, the number of Americans aged 55 to 64 who suffer from high blood pressure and obesity is on the increase.

U.S. life expectancy has been rising almost without interruption since 1900, thanks to several factors, including extraordinary advances in medicine and sanitation, and declines in some types of unhealthy behavior, such as smoking.

Still, health officials are trying to draw attention to unhealthy behavior, and this year chose to break out data on people 55 to 64. (Washington Post)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Life Expectancy