How long one lives is influenced by a number of factors. Genes, of course, play a big and commanding role but where one was born also carries a lot of weight. Folks living in Hong Kong often live to 85. If you were born in Switzerland, knock a year off the average age at departure to put Switzerland in 4th place in the global rating.
Run a finger down the column listing countries and their position in the longevity sweepstakes, move past Italy, Spain, Iceland, Sweden and France and assorted other countries and when you reach the 16th place you have reached the entry for Canada. A Canadian at birth can hope to see almost 83 years-of-age.
Run your eye down the column all the way to the 46th entry and you find the United States. The low rating for the States is correct but many would argue it does not reflect the reality facing many seniors living in the U.S. Childbirth death rates are high in the States and too many people die early thanks to gun violence. Healthcare and longevity are actually better in the States than the numbers indicate.
Still, for many people, health care in the senior years is more available in many places when compared to the United States. Take a simple thing like prescription drugs. In Ontario, Canada, a senior pays for the first hundred dollars of prescription drugs annually. After that, the cost is only $4.11 for each prescription.
I've known folk living in the States, admittedly not all that well off, who had to pick and choose between prescriptions when it came to having their prescriptions filled.
For seniors anywhere in the world, it can be tough when it comes to maintaining good health. But I look at the ratings and it is pretty clear that many other places around the world are quite possibly doing things better than we are in North America. Hey, 16th position doesn't come with a lot of bragging rights. And what can one say about 46th?
1 comment:
I am in a general state where I take no medication. I wonder how long that can last.
Post a Comment