Morning medical update: life expectancy, fireworks injuries, hot dog risks

In 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed, living past middle age was far from guaranteed for most Americans. Illness, injury, and childbirth all shortened lives, and early-1800s life expectancy stood at about 36 years. That figure reflected very high infant and child mortality rather than the average adult lifespan. The 56 signers of the Declaration had an average age of about 44, and Benjamin Franklin was 70. Today, average life expectancy in the United States is close to 80 years, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention putting it at 76.5 years for men and 81.4 years for women.

Public health historian James Colgrove, Ph.D., M.P.H., of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, said the long-term increase owes much more to population-wide public health measures than to clinical medicine alone. Among the major gains he points to are mass vaccination, including George Washington’s 1777 order to inoculate the Continental Army against smallpox; the water and sewer systems that cities expanded during the 19th century to reduce cholera, typhoid, and dysentery; and tobacco control efforts that accelerated after the 1964 Surgeon General’s report linked smoking with a nine- to tenfold increase in lung cancer risk.

Colgrove also noted that progress has not been automatic or evenly distributed. The source points to a persistent gap between Black and White Americans’ average life expectancy, as well as repeated public health gains achieved despite opposition from entrenched commercial interests. Columbia’s Mailman School has outlined five major turning points in this history, and LiveNOW from FOX has additional coverage on how daily life has changed since 1776.

Fireworks remain another seasonal public health concern as the country approaches the 250th Fourth of July celebration. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated at least 15 fireworks-related deaths and about 13,000 emergency department-treated injuries in 2025. Roughly 1,300 of those injuries were linked to sparklers alone. Around the holiday, an average of 280 people a day end up in the emergency department with fireworks injuries, and many of them are bystanders or children.

The CPSC data show that people ages 15 to 24 made up the largest share of injuries. Burns to the hands, fingers, and head were the most common injuries reported. The most serious incidents often involved fireworks that tipped over, malfunctioned, or were used too close to other people. These details underscore that fireworks harm is not limited to the person lighting the device.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has also highlighted the eye injury risk from fireworks, especially sparklers. The Academy says sparklers burn at more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and are responsible for about 1,400 eye injuries each year. It also cites a study finding that 65% of those injured were bystanders and 60% were younger than 25. For fireworks-related eye injury, the Academy advises seeking care immediately. It warns against rubbing or rinsing the eye, removing debris lodged in the eye, applying pressure or ointment, or taking aspirin or ibuprofen.

A third story in the roundup focuses on hot dogs and the health risks of processed meat. Americans are expected to eat about 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July, but a new survey from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Morning Consult suggests that most people do not know the specific risks associated with processed meat. Among 2,201 U.S. adults surveyed from June 22 to June 24, 59% said they eat hot dogs at least once a month, yet nearly 90% said they were either unaware of or unsure about the health risks.

The underlying concern is not new. The World Health Organization classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans, and the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research say the evidence shows processed meat causes colorectal cancer. The source notes that about 50 grams a day, roughly the amount in one hot dog, is tied to an 18% higher risk. The article frames that information alongside the continued rise in colorectal cancer among younger adults.

According to the American Cancer Society’s 2024 cancer statistics report, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men ages 40 to 49 and in men ages 20 to 39. The source also cites an analysis of CDC data used by the group, which found steep relative increases in colorectal cancer among children and teens since 1999, though those numbers start from very small absolute counts.

Stephanie McBurnett, a registered dietitian with the group, said early and frequent exposure to processed meat can lead to lasting harm in children. She recommended plant-based alternatives. In the survey, 46% of respondents said they would be very or somewhat likely to choose a veggie dog after learning about the risks.

Together, the three topics in this Morning Medical Update show how public health improvements, seasonal safety risks, and everyday diet choices continue to shape outcomes in the United States. The life-expectancy story points to the long influence of vaccination, sanitation, and tobacco control. The fireworks reporting highlights recurring injuries that send thousands to emergency departments each year, especially among young people and bystanders. And the hot dog survey suggests that many adults still do not recognize the cancer-related risks tied to processed meat, even as those concerns become part of the conversation around summer celebrations.