Life expectancy has reached a new record of more than 78 years in the United States, a preliminary report given by the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention showed on Wednesday.

The report said the life expectancy of a baby that was born in the United States in 2009 has increased to 78 years and 2 months from 78 years in 2008. Also, the life expectancy of women increased one-tenth of a year to 80.6 years while the life expectancy of men rose two-tenths of a year to 75.7 years.

In 2009, an estimated number of 2.4 million deaths were recorded in the United States. However, the number was 36,000 lesser than the recorded deaths a year ago.

According to the report, deaths decreased for various kinds of causes such as heart diseases and homicide cases. Thus, experts believe there is no one plain reason for the rise in life expectancy. But, enhanced medical treatment, increased campaigns for vaccinations and better public measures to prevent smoking are thought to have a significant impact on the increase.

Since the 1940s, life expectancy in the country has been increasing, although there were some years that it held even and there were few times when it momentarily dipped.

In 2008, the CDC believed that life expectancy dropped to 77 years and 11 months. But, the agency corrected the estimate to 78 years in the report released on Wednesday. CDC said it was due to an error in computer programming.

The 2009 preliminary report by the agency’s National Center for Health Statistics is based on almost all of the death certificates issued that year. The agency is expected to submit a final report later this year.