ATLANTA--Americans are living longer and the annual death rate is declining, a recent report indicates.

Preliminary data for 2004 from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that the death rate in the U.S. dropped by nearly 50,000 to 2,398,343, or 2 percent from 2003. Average life expectancy, meanwhile, has reached 77.9 years, a record high.

In 2004, heart disease continued to be the leading cause of death. But the report said long-term decreasing trends for the three leading causes of death--heart disease, cancer and stroke--are continuing. There were increases for hypertension and Alzheimer's disease.

For 10 of the 15 leading causes of death, the age-adjusted death rate declined considerably. Overall, it fell to a record low of 801 deaths per 100,000 population in 2004.

To view the report, click here.