Americans are living longer

June 12, 2008 Life Span A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows life expectancy has hit a record high. The life expectancy for a child born in 2006 is 78 years, which is four months older than babies born in 2005.

Women are still expected to outlive men by about six years, but there are still racial disparities. White women are expected to outlive black women by about four years.

Cancer and heart disease remain the top two killers.

Calorie Count

People order fewer calories when they know how many they're ordering, according to a new survey of New York City residents eating fast food.

New York City passed a law that requires fast food chains to list their calories.

Overall, most people didn't see the calorie display, but those who did ordered an average 52 fewer calories.

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown tried to bring a similar law here to Philadelphia, but whether people want to know what they're eating is still up for debate.

The bill to make Philadelphia restaurants display calories could resurface in the fall.

Blood Shortage

The heat wave is over, but its effects have hurt local blood banks.

Officials at the American Red Cross say they had to cancel several blood drives earlier this week due to the heat. They also had many donors cancer their appointments.

Now local blood banks are behind by nearly 1,000 units. They're asking everyone in the community, if you can donate, to please do.