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Arizonans are living longer, according to a new study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The state ranked third in the nation for the highest life expectancy of 85 years. Kara Christ, spokeswoman for the Arizona Department of Health Services, said the climate is a factor in how long people live.

“I think it has a lot to do with the type of lifestyle Arizonans lead," said Christ. "I think we live in a relatively healthy community that allows people to get outside and exercise.”

 Christ also said preventative medicine plays a role. 

"This really does show that a lot of those prevention efforts like vaccines and blood pressure screenings really do maximize your health, whether you’re little or in your 20’s or when you are in your retirement age," said Christ. "It's just really important."

For decades life expectancy for Americans has been rising steadily and is now nearly 79 for newborns.