America Ranks As 29th Healthiest Country
Looking to boost your health in 2013? You might want to think about moving to Japan, as it tops the list of the world’s healthiest countries.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 to help assess the trending habits and risk factors around the world. Partners in the project included Harvard Initiative for Global Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Disease Control Priorities Project, IHME Global Burden of Disease and the University of Queensland.
The study determined a number of factors including life expectancy for both men and women, and how long people are living with disabilities.
While Japan topped the list again (it was at the top for the first study in 1990 as well) with the longest life expectancy, the United States was tied with Norway for 29th place for men and 33rd for women.
Of interest to the researchers was the fact that countries both longest and shortest living, have given up “healthy life years” versus 20 years ago. Women are now living approximately 11.5 years with a disability such as mental illness and multiple sclerosis; for men, it was 9.2 years.
Researchers haven’t pinpointed a specific reason for Japan’s longevity, and the estimate a number of factors play a role including diet and lifestyle habits.
Highest Male Healthy Life Expectancy:
- Japan
- Singapore
- Switzerland
- Spain
- Italy
- Australia
- Canada
- Andorra
- Israel
- South Korea
Highest Female Healthy Life Expectancy:
- Japan
- South Korea
- Spain
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Switzerland
- Andorra
- Italy
- Australia
- France
Lowest Male:
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- DRC
- Malawi
- Zimbabwe
- Mozambique
- Swaziland
- Central African Repbulic
- Lesotho
- Haiti
Lowest Female:
- Liberia
- Burundi
- Afghanistan
- Malawi
- Zimbabwe
- Mozambique
- Swaziland
- Lesotho
- Central African Republic
- Haiti
Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger
Image: Ed Yourdon
