Not-So-Great Expectations

Family Strength Is Fading & It Shows

Late in 2016, statistics showed that the average life expectancy in the United States had dropped for the first time in more than a decade.

For a developed nation, particularly one as rich and technologically advanced as the United States, this is shocking news. "Most notably," reported a story on NPR, "the overall death rate for Americans increased because mortality from heart disease and stroke increased after declining for years. Deaths were also up from Alzheimer's disease, respiratory disease, kidney disease and diabetes," as well as from suicide and accidental injury.¹ The story noted that the increase may be a blip—something that turns out to be a...