Here is something that Barack Obama, John Boehner, Harry Reid, and other national leaders won’t address. It’s hard to believe that the United States does not provide its citizens with the longest life expectancy of any country in the world. ABC World News reports we have the most expensive health care in the world.
Here we are in 36th place and tied with Cuba. Postings of comments offer a variety of excuses for this ranking. They range from our military involvements to gun use to long drives to work. Canada is very similar to the United States but is in 11th place. Israel is in 8th place but I wonder how many in that country are living with severe handicaps resulting from bombings. Still,Israel’s ranking is quite surprising.
The total number of U.S.lives lost in the Iraq and Afghanistanwars is 6,081. The Census Bureau lists the 2008 number of death from auto accidents at 39,000 people. Clearly the wars have not been the major contributor to America’s deaths.
The Los Angeles Times front page article today indicates that life expectancy for woman has declined in many rural areas.
|
Rank |
Country (State/territory) |
Life expectancy at birth (years) |
Life expectancy at birth (years) |
Life expectancy at birth (years) |
| 1 | Japan | 82.6 | 78.0 | 86.1 |
| 2 | Hong Kong | 82.2 | 79.4 | 85.1 |
| 3 | Iceland | 81.8 | 80.2 | 83.3 |
| 4 | Switzerland | 81.7 | 79.0 | 84.2 |
In last place, 194th, is Swaziland where life expectancy for both men and women is less than 40.
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