Why People Live Longer in this English-Speaking Country

Why This Nation’s Healthcare System Could Hold the Key to Global Longevity

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My Longevity Experiment
January 26, 2025

Which Country Has the Best Longevity?

Understanding the Longevity Divide
Countries where English is the official language share notable historical and cultural ties, primarily stemming from British colonial influence. Despite these commonalities, life expectancy varies significantly across these nations. A recent study highlights one country that stands out for its superior life expectancy, largely attributed to an advanced healthcare system and lower rates of firearm and drug-related deaths.

Analyzing Longevity Across English-Speaking Nations
Population health scientist Rachel Wilkie and demographer Jessica Ho conducted an in-depth analysis of life expectancy in six high-income, English-speaking countries. Their aim was to identify factors contributing to disparities in longevity, comparing data from 1990 to 2018.

Data Sources and Study Scope
The study drew from reliable global datasets, including the World Health Organization’s Mortality Database, vital statistics agencies, and the Human Mortality Database. The countries analyzed included the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Key Findings: What Sets the Best Performers Apart?
Australia emerged as the top performer, with consistently lower mortality rates across nearly all age groups, particularly for individuals aged 45 to 84. The study attributed this success to superior healthcare systems, effective disease prevention, and lower rates of firearm and drug-related deaths.

Canada and Ireland: Rising Stars in Longevity
Canada ranked second in life expectancy, while Ireland showed significant improvements over the years, climbing from the bottom to rank among the top performers for both men and women.

Geographic Disparities in Life Expectancy
While some countries exhibited consistent life expectancy across regions, disparities were evident in others. For example, Australia’s Northern Territory faced challenges related to the shorter life expectancies of Aboriginal populations due to disproportionate disease burdens.

The United States: A Sobering Reality
The United States ranked lowest in life expectancy at birth and at age 65, with stark disparities linked to healthcare challenges, firearm-related deaths, and drug overdoses. Australian men, on average, live nearly five years longer than their American counterparts.

Lessons for Improving Longevity Worldwide
The study highlighted Australia’s healthcare model as a potential blueprint for lower-performing nations. Researchers emphasized the importance of addressing premature mortality and regional inequalities in life expectancy.

Limitations of the Study
Despite its robust findings, the study acknowledged limitations, such as differences in cause-of-death coding across countries and the unavailability of data for smaller subnational regions.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for Longevity
The study underscores the critical role of healthcare, lifestyle choices, and regional policies in shaping life expectancy. By adopting successful strategies from top-performing nations, other countries can work toward reducing disparities and improving global longevity.

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