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Interesting link. Firstly life expectancy in the US is only a very little lower than other developed countries. Reasons? A mixture of many - one of which will be gentic make up.
Possibly, but the genetic makeup of Canada and the U.S. is pretty similar, yet there's a big difference in longevity. I think it's much more likely due to diet and lifestyle.
A couple of things I've noticed on my travels in the U.S. are:
The average life expectancy for Americans has risen to an all-time high of 78 years. This is obviously good news. But a question nags—why are people in other countries living longer on average than Americans?
"The American health care system is most likely not to blame for our lower life expectancies. Instead, American health care is rescuing enough of us from the consequences of our bad health habits to keep our ranking from being even lower."
[1 point]1 year ago by kjmorleyReplyEdited 1 year ago by kjmorley
I'd have to say lack of universal health care and its concomitant effects, including poor diet due to poor nutritional education. When the main dietary advice given to school children comes not out of the health care system but out of the lobbies of business associations (like the Food Pyramid and the American Dairy Association), then the diet is sure to stink.
It is mostly what I'd call lifestyle. A lot of us eat what we like (weather it is good or not), we don't exercise enough, many still smoke, etc.
Ironically (and get ready to vote me down for saying this) this should show that since the US is often considered an example of an unhealthy lifestyle (obese people eating too much and exercising too little) being "more healthy" doesn't add all that much to the average life expectancy. The US is within a couple years of the average life expectancy of just about all the other countries with "healthier" lifestyles.
Canada
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/sort.php
What is your definition of a first world country?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World
Interesting link. Firstly life expectancy in the US is only a very little lower than other developed countries. Reasons? A mixture of many - one of which will be gentic make up.
Possibly, but the genetic makeup of Canada and the U.S. is pretty similar, yet there's a big difference in longevity. I think it's much more likely due to diet and lifestyle.
A couple of things I've noticed on my travels in the U.S. are:
1. people drive everywhere;
2. and restaurant portion size is huge!
:o)
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1224426420070912
The average life expectancy for Americans has risen to an all-time high of 78 years. This is obviously good news. But a question nags—why are people in other countries living longer on average than Americans?
Accidents, Murders, Preemies and Fat: http://www.reason.com/news/show/127038.html
...
"The American health care system is most likely not to blame for our lower life expectancies. Instead, American health care is rescuing enough of us from the consequences of our bad health habits to keep our ranking from being even lower."
This comment was deleted.
[2 points] 1 year ago by deleted user ReplyFor once, you got it right! Arrow YOU up (for once).
This comment was deleted.
[0 points] 1 year ago by deleted user ReplyI'd have to say lack of universal health care and its concomitant effects, including poor diet due to poor nutritional education. When the main dietary advice given to school children comes not out of the health care system but out of the lobbies of business associations (like the Food Pyramid and the American Dairy Association), then the diet is sure to stink.
It is mostly what I'd call lifestyle. A lot of us eat what we like (weather it is good or not), we don't exercise enough, many still smoke, etc.
Ironically (and get ready to vote me down for saying this) this should show that since the US is often considered an example of an unhealthy lifestyle (obese people eating too much and exercising too little) being "more healthy" doesn't add all that much to the average life expectancy. The US is within a couple years of the average life expectancy of just about all the other countries with "healthier" lifestyles.