Statement attributable to:
Barbara L. McAneny, MD
President, American Medical Association
“The trend of declining life expectancy in the United States is deeply concerning and demands an all-hands-on-deck approach to reverse course. Even as we’ve made gains in fighting chronic conditions such as cancer and heart disease, the twin plagues of suicide and opioid misuse have all but erased those gains.
“The AMA has urged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to further investigate the causes of the recent decrease in life expectancy and increase in premature mortality in the United States—and to recommend multi-disciplinary interventions to reverse these disturbing trends.
“The AMA urges state and federal policymakers to work closely with physicians and others on the front lines. These trends are being seen in physician offices around the country. Our patients need help to realize the promise of long, healthy lives.”
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About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
