How is it possible that Americans are living shorter lives with poorer health than the rest of the “rich” countries???

The United States of America spends more money on healthcare than any other country in the world. And yet, Americans have a lower life expectancy and higher rates of disease and injury than almost all other high-income countries.

  • And why is it happening?

The Data

When compared with the average for peer countries, the United States fares worse in nine health domains:

1. Adverse birth outcomes


  • Infant mortality


How is it possible that almost 3x as many babies die in the US than in Sweden?

2. Injuries and homicides


  • Deaths from traffic accidents


  • Violent deaths


Hmmmmm, American boys dying violent deaths…I wonder what could be causing that?

3. Adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections


  • Adolescent birth rate


The boys are dying violent deaths, the girls are getting knocked up and everyone is getting sexually transmitted infections. Well done.

4. HIV and AIDS


No surprise considering the high rate of sexually transmitted infections. 

5. Drug-related mortality


This might explain all the pregnancies and STIs.

6. Obesity and diabetes



Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and a whole bunch more lifestyle related medical conditions are driving America’s medical costs up and up year after year.

7. Heart disease


Hmmmmmmm, the home of McDonalds and Coca-Cola has the second highest rate of ischemic heart disease amongst their peer countries. Quel surprise.

8. Chronic lung disease


9. Disability


NOTE #1 – Looking at all of these problems which cause Americans to live shorter lives with poorer health than the rest of the world’s “rich” countries, I keep seeing the same root problem. POOR LIFESTYLE CHOICES

  • Poor diet – quantity & quality
  • Inactivity
  • Violent culture + easy access to guns
  • Unprotected sex
  • High rates of drug & alcohol abuse

NOTE #2If you want all the details on this research, head over to the National Acadamies Press and download a free pdf copy of the report 

Like this article???



button subscribe