U.S. Life Expectancy Fails to Keep Pace

By CP News Briefs, Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Although the United States outspends other countries on health care, life expectancy rates are only the 28th best in the world.

The United Nations ranks the United States only 28th among countries that have a high life expectancy rate. This ranking is sobering in light of the fact that the United States spends more money on health care per person, according to the National Academy of Sciences.

The life expectancy at birth for U.S. citizens during the 1950s was 65.4 years for men, and 71 years for women. In 2006, these numbers rose to 75.1 for men and 80.2 for women. Countries such as Japan and France, had lower life expectancy rates in the 1950s, but have surpassed the U.S. in recent years.

For example, in Japan, the 1950 life expectancy for men was 57.6 and 60.9 for women. In 2007, however, Japanese men, were reported to have a life expectancy of 79.2 years, and 86 years for women. In France, the 1950's life expectancy was 63.4 for men, and 69.2 for women. In 2007, the French life expectancy at birth rose to 77.4 for men and 84.4 for women.

Analysts attribute the numbers to smoking. The number of women in the U.S. who smoke cigarettes are responsible for about 78 percent of the lowering of the life expectancy rate. For men, smoking accounts for about 41 percent of the difference. Because the number of smokers in America 50 years ago was significantly higher than in other countries, this factor still has an effect on current U.S. life expectancy statistics.

Another significant cause of mortality in the U.S. is heart disease. American obesity, lack of exercise, and adult onset type 2 diabetes are also major contributors to the increased mortality rate.