Common Core State Standard L.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
04/25/2016
Life expectancy declines for white women in the U.S.
The life expectancy of white, non-Hispanic women in the U.S. dipped from 81.2 years to 81.1 years from 2013 to 2014, according to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. While it's a fraction of a year, the CDC says it shows a bigger problem for a wealthy nation. A CDC demographer said the decline can, in part, be attributed to drug overdoses, smoking, alcohol, disease and suicide.
■Class discussion: How much does our lifestyle affect how long we are likely to live? How long do you expect to live? What are you doing or not doing that could affect your life expectancy? What about the habits of other members of your family or your friends? How do life expectancy rates in the U.S. compare to the rest of the world? Other than lifestyle, what factors impact a person's life expectancy?