According to CNN News this AM, life expectancy in the US has dropped again?

Question

to a national average of 77.8 years. This puts us at 14th in the world. Since we are constantly told by the right wingers that we (in the US) have the very BEST health care system in the world due to private insurance under the guise of competition, how can we possibly equate the two any longer? Facts are facts

Answer 1

Yes, it is true. Go have another doughnut.

Answer 2

discussed below about 5 minutes ago

the CNN report is based on a very poor AP report which was not quality science.

***
as to your specific question ... murders and deaths due to drunk driving are much higher in America than in other countries and this lowers the reported life expectancy. So until you severely reduce both drunk driving and murder, i doubt you'll do 'better' than the quiet, placid countries like Japan where fitting into society is a virtue.


:-)

***
Btw, for you pontiffs above -- here's what you could do about overeating. Tax calories.

If you slapped a ten dollar per thousand calories tax on food in all forms and then gave every American a monthly cheque for 550 USD [1800 calories per day], you'd get so much money from the overeaters that

1. they'd eat less, and
2. you'd be able to offer WeightWatchers and gym memberships for free to everyone.

Phaw!! Aren't there any economists here?


:-)

Answer 3

In 2000 the average life expectancy was 77.1, so actually life expectancy hasn't dropped, it just has not increased at the same rate as other countries. There are many other factors that go into this:
The United States has a much higher obesity rate than other countries, this has less to do with healthcare and more to do with lifestyle choices. Tobacco usage is also a factor.
Blaming healthcare is irresponsible. It is the lifestyle that people have chosen that most affects these figures.

Answer 4

Actually, it's 42nd! The headlines say 41(not 14) countries beat the US.

And, forty countries, including Cuba, Taiwan and most of Europe had lower infant mortality rates than the U.S. in 2004. The U.S. rate was 6.8 deaths for every 1,000 live births..

You would think people would be embarrassed.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070812/ap_on_he_me/life_expectancy;_ylt=AuKRS8RrWXhr7uf43daM2VCs0NUE

Answer 5

So? You need only to worry about your own well being, not the whole world. Most people make poor decisions about what they eat and if they exercise. Don't be one of them. If we all take personal responsibility for our health, wealth and safety it can make a difference. Beside, believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see in the media.

Answer 6

The FACTS are that there is a fast food restaurant on every corner and in most stores. There is not a damn thing you can do about people diet. You want to fix this, make hamburgers, pizza, taco's, and fried chicken illegal.

Answer 7

Gosh! Maybe the President should use his executive powers to outlaw fast food and force Americans to exercise everyday, but then that would be a loss of liberty, wouldn't it? It's got to be his fault somehow, though.

Answer 8

We do have the best healthcare system. Since when is it the healthcare systems responsibility to make sure you live longer? That's a typical liberal point of reasoning. I think I'll take care of myself thank youl.

Answer 9

Americans eat like pigs and never good for them. They constituently drink and smoke cancer into their lungs and liver. They are constantly driving above the speed limits, and engaging in extreme sports that can kill them in seconds.

Answer 10

Lack of exercise, eating the wrong foods, etc.

I think we need to gets some federal laws in place.. FAST. We all should be required to exercise and they should tax the heck out of anything edible that is not healthy? Whatcha think?

Wait, that'll be Hillary's job. LOL!

Answer 11

Us rightwingers can't make you exercise or eat better. If we do have a government run (gasp) health care system will that make everyone all of a sudden exercise or eschew fast food? I don't think so.