Compared to peers, US health comes up short

U. MICHIGAN (US) — Even wealthy, educated Americans with health insurance die sooner and seem to be sicker than people in other high-income countries.







Kids and teens


Many of these health conditions disproportionately affect children and adolescents, the report states. For decades, the US has had the highest infant mortality rate of any high-income country, and it also ranks poorly on premature birth and the proportion of children who live to age 5.

US adolescents have higher rates of death from traffic accidents and homicide, the highest rates of teenage pregnancy, and are more likely to acquire sexually transmitted infections. Nearly two-thirds of the difference in life expectancy between males in the US and these other countries can be attributed to deaths before age 50.



The panel did find that the US outperforms its peers in some areas of health and health-related behavior. People in the US over age 75 live longer, and Americans have lower death rates from stroke and cancer, better control of blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and lower rates of smoking.

Root causes

This health disadvantage exists even though the US spends more per capita on health care than any other nation. Although documented flaws in the health care system may contribute to poorer health, the panel concluded that many factors are responsible for the nation’s health disadvantage.

The report examines the role of underlying social values and public policies in understanding why the US is outranked by other nations on both health outcomes and the conditions that affect health. For example, Americans are more likely to engage in certain unhealthy behaviors, from heavy caloric intake to behaviors that increase the risk of fatal injuries, the report says.


However, the panel’s research suggests that the US health disadvantage is not solely a reflection of the serious health disadvantages that are concentrated in the US among poor or uninsured people or ethnic and racial minorities.





Source: University of Michigan

chat7 Comments


  1. mmjohns

    Americans want “perfect fruit,” and “perfect vegetables.” So we might think we consume beautiful, healthy food, however, all have been bathed since sprouting in a deadly soup of pesticides and poisons. We are convinced by growers, manufacturers, and advertisers that ALL are safe. Alas, it isn’t true. Meat, dairy, produce are frequently in the news for problems. Remember the E. Coli outbreaks? and Salmonella? Advertisers in the media push alcohol, soft drinks, and delicious fatty, salty, chemically flavored snacks. Rich and poor alike in America still smoke, fewer in number, but a good many still smoke. Our air and water are polluted. Asthma and cancer continue to rise in our population. Higher death rate? Let’s form another committee.

  2. Cris Sleightholm

    According to the article, IF you can make it to 75, then it is clear sailing the rest of the way…that’s the key.

  3. AKnadler

    “deadly pesticides and poisons”…I don’t think so…hysterical hyperbole at best. There needs to be a basis for a civil discussion if we’re to address any of our serious problems in this country.

  4. Cris Sleightholm

    AKnadler: Your ignorance regarding pesticides is appalling. Suggest you read further on the subject before stating they’re “hysterical hyperbole at best”.

  5. GOrr

    U.S. cancer death rates in 2009 were down 20% from their peak in 1991, primarily because of large decreases in death rates from lung and prostate cancer in men and in breast cancer in women, according to the American Cancer Society. Incidents may be up, but part of this may be due to better diagnostic technology and increased number of sceenings. There are still racial disparities in cancer deaths. source: Siegel R, et al “Cancer statistics, 2013” CA Cancer J Clin 2013; DOI: 10.3322/caac.21166.

  6. Humanze

    Hundreds of above-ground atomic blasts took place around the world, but in America it took place in Nevada at least 100+ where the jet stream would then gather the fallout and then blanket it across the grain belt so then of course we see huge spikes in cancer years later. Also the nutritional content of produce has been on a steady decline matched with a steady increase in yield. The food we consume is of poor quality this is all already known. Somethings really should not have a price tag driven by profit on them like health care or speculation of food products to artificially create shortages and profits from manipulation of markets.

    “deadly pesticides and poisons” well yes and no , whats really the impact is the decrease in insects and flora and fauna us farms are a virtual desert of bio diversity. Over millions of years plants and beneficial organisms developed symbiotic relationships. You can’t remove half of the equation with out some loss of vitality.

  7. urgent care

    Well that is really a complicated issue that why Americans are dying earlier in comparison to other country’s people even they are educated and wealthy. This point might be attracting the attention of every viewer. Might be due to lack of proper health care system or might be due to unhealthy practices and behavior. In the above article we are getting certain beneficial points that help to argue on these topics. I would like to follow certain instructions from here to get proper healthy lifestyle.

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