United States Life Tables, 2001.

This report presents period life tables for the United States based on age-specific death rates in 2001. Data used to prepare these life tables are 2001 final mortality statistics; July 1, 2001, population estimates based on the 2000 decennial census; and data from the Medicare program. Presented are complete life tables by age, race, and sex. In 2001 the overall expectation of life at birth was 77.2 years, representing an increase of 0.2 years from life expectancy in 2000. Between 2000 and 2001, life expectancy increased for both males and females and for both the white and black populations. Life expectancy increased by 0.3 years for black males (from 68.3 to 68.6) and black females (from 75.2 to 75.5). It increased by 0.1 year for white males (from 74.9 to 75.0) and white females (from 80.1 to 80.2).