With healthy lifestyles, men may live longer

April 23, 2012 (CHICAGO)

According to British statistic experts, the tide is turning. They say by the time today's 12-year-old boys reach 30, they can expect to live a month or so over 87. That would match the life span predicted for girls of the same age.

Life expectancy is going up all around but the rates for men are increasing faster. An advisor for the UK office of National Statistics attributes the closing gap to men adopting healthier lifestyles.

Dropping smoking rates are thought to explain a lot of the change.