Lifespan About a century ago, the average li

Lifespan
    About a century ago, the average lifespan of Americans was about 50 years. Today, the typical American lives for around 78 years. / What accounts for such increased longevity? / Between 1900 and 1950, inventions such as refrigeration and sewage treatment / meant that young people were able to survive longer. / Moreover, medical breakthroughs helped contain diseases that killed many children. / This means that future medical breakthroughs will result in even longer average lifespan.