Thursday, August 20, 2009

Life Expectancy


Life expectancy has greatly increased in the U.S. since babies were born circa 1960. The CDC just announced that expectancy now stands at 78. In 1960, it was 70.

Just from 2006 to 2007, babies have the expectation of living three additional months.

This nursery is a replica of one where numerous Selma newborns were cared for in the old Vaughan Memorial Hospital back in the 1950s and 1960s. The building is now a museum with medical exhibits on its third floor. Notice the window behind the incubator. Older siblings of newborns were allowed to climb the outside spiral staircase to get a first look through the window at their new brother or sister.

5 comments:

Halcyon said...

Funny how things have changed, but still remain the same. I remember peeking through a window like that at my baby sister. :)

cewmont said...

How interesting that the siblings climbed a staircase outside to peep in the window!

Lowell said...

I had read about that life-span study. Means I should have a couple of years yet.

Nice they kept these facilities to remember the old times!

Virginia said...

Never heard of the window for siblings but that is so interesting. I think my girls were in little rolling 'plastic boxes" like those!!!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, they have some creepy looking instruments of torture in there and a large variety of bedpans. LOL!