For this first time in nearly a century, a significant number of American women are seeing a drop in life expectancy, UW scientists reported in late April. Ailments associated with smoking, such as lung cancer and emphysema, as well as diabetes and kidney failure, appear to be among the causes.

Also see:

• Seattle Times: "Life spans falling for least-healthy Americans, study by Harvard, UW finds"
• Seattle P-I: "Life span shorter in parts of U.S."
• USA Today: "Life spans decline in some U.S. areas"
• Washington Post: "Life Expectancy Drops for Some U.S. Women"