Understanding Average Life Expectancy: What Does It Really Mean?

Question
When someone refers to a human being's "average life expectancy," does that mean that statistically half the people alive are older than (say 74 or whatever). Does it take into account all the people that die young for whatever reason (natural and accidental causes) and average that with all the people who live longer? Or is "average life expectancy" just an estimate of how long a typical person could expect to live under ordinary situations?

Answer
Neal,

Average Life expectancy is different for gender, race, region, country, etc.  But typically when one refers to Average Life Expectancy for the typical American that is the average between men and women, the races and the country as a whole.  It takes into account those who die younger and older than the stated age.  Recent stats put ALE of Americans as 77.

JP Saleeby, MD
www.saleeby.net