U.S. trails 16 other affluent countries in life expectancy, health status

Jan 11 2013

A National Academy of Sciences report looked at a wide variety of health measures.

NPR: U.S. Ranks Below 16 Other Rich Countries In Health Report
It's no news that the U.S. has lower life expectancy and higher infant mortality than most high-income countries. But a magisterial new report says Americans are actually less healthy across their entire life spans than citizens of 16 other wealthy nations (Knox, 1/9).

The Wall Street Journal: Americans Die Younger Than Peers
Americans die younger and have more illnesses and accidents on average than people in other high-income countries-;even wealthier, insured, college-educated Americans, a report said Wednesday. ... The study by the federally sponsored National Research Council and Institute of Medicine found the U.S. near the bottom of 17 affluent countries for life expectancy, with high rates of obesity and diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease and arthritis, as well as infant mortality, injuries, homicides, teen pregnancy, drug deaths and sexually transmitted diseases (Radnofsky, 1/9).

Reuters: Obesity, Lack Of Insurance Cited In U.S. Health Gap
The United States also has a higher infant mortality rate than the other countries, with 32.7 deaths per 100,000, the report showed. Most similar countries have infant mortality rates between 15 and 25 deaths per 100,000. ... The U.S. healthcare system is a patchwork of private insurance often provided through an employer as well as public programs aimed at the elderly, disabled and poor. Tens of millions of Americans are left with no insurance to help pay for care (Heavey, 1/9).

PBS NewsHour: Americans Far Less Healthy, Die Younger Than Global Peers, Study Finds
Matthias Rumpf of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development -- a group that conducts similar research -- agreed with the findings, though he added that lack of primary care access also directly affects the U.S. life expectancy rate (McHaney, 1/9).