December 15, 2010
"Massachusetts Deaths 2008," released Tuesday, finds life expectancy in the state hit a record high in 2008, with a person born that year estimated to live an average of 80.4 years. The US national average is 77.8 years. Women born in 2008 can expect to live until 83, while the figure for men is 78. The report said 146 residents died on an average day in 2008, including: 36 to cancer, 35 to heart disease, 15 to respiratory diseases, eight to injuries, seven to stroke, five to Alzheimer's disease, three to diabetes, one to HIV/AIDS, one infant death, and 36 from other causes.