Life expectancy drops in U.S.

Life expectancy in the United States dipped slightly in 2008, according to the latest federal data.

Those born in 2008 can only expect to live to be 77.8 years old, down from 77.9 years for those born in 2007, according to an annual preliminary analysis of data conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.

The drop–which is equivalent to about a month–occurred for both men and women, falling to 75.3 for males and 80.3 for females, according to the report.