Americans are living longer than ever before. The death rate in the U.S. reached an all-time low in two thousand nine. It's the tenth straight year of decline.

Overall U.S. life expectancy rose slightly from 78 years to 78.2 years.

Women still live longer than men, but both sexes saw an increase in life expectancy.

Life expectancy for African Americans remained unchanged. African American males are expected to live 70.9 years, and African American women have a life expectancy of 77.4 years.

Researchers advise this is preliminary data. Final data should be available this summer.