[tropo]

Cuba has people in a different climate, with a different culture, and different inherent susceptibility to disease.

If we were to supply Cuba with bacon double cheeseburgers and unlimited soda refills, that life expectancy would not be so hot. Also, give them all desk jobs.

Healthcare is better in the USA. We just like to do bad things to ourselves.

[iainmerrick]

Canada, then. They have a very similar culture, and I don't think anyone would call their climate substantially more hospitable. They spend half as much on healthcare and live three years longer. Their approach (publicly funded, free at the point of use) would seem to be much more effective than the US approach.

I mentioned Cuba because I've heard many anecdotes about how skilled and well-trained their doctors are -- they don't have the money and resources for lots of modern drugs and equipment, so they invest in their workforce instead. I'm not saying Cuba is in great shape overall, just that I have heard they have excellent doctors. (I don't have data to back that up, though)