Time's cover story implies that children born today could live to 142 years old. When you look at the data, it shows that average life expectancy continues to increase every year. Look closely...
The rate of increase is slowing down. From 1895 to 1925, life expectancy increased from roughly 46 years to 59 years or 28%. From 1925 to 1955, it increased 11 years or 19%. In the next 30 years, it increased 5 years or 7%. The next 30 years ending today saw an increase of 4 years or 5%. Looking at CDC data, the increase in age had nearly flat-lined into the 1990's. Since 2000, it seems the life expectancy is increasing again in absolute years, staying constant as a percentage increase.
In the last 50 years, health expenditures have tripled as a percent of GDP. (Absolute dollars have increased a hundredfold.) Per capita spending has increased 5900%.
We're getting a life expectancy increase in the last ten years but it's costing us a ton.
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